“For it is just like a man who was about to take a journey, and he called his servants together and entrusted them with his possessions. To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and then he went on his journey.” – Matthew 25:14-15 (AMP)

The parable of the talents is one of the parables that expounded the truth that every human is a steward of the gifts of God. There is no human being created by God that doesn’t have any God-given potentials or abilities and even resources committed into our hands but when you understand the word ‘stewardship’, using these for the purpose and will of God becomes a possibility. Stewardship is a responsibility to manage and give account of resources committed into one’s hands. How you manage what God has committed into your hands says a lot about the state of your heart before God.

Jesus gave this parable to illustrate the importance of managing God’s resources well because the day to give account will definitely come. Who do you honour with the potentials and talents and gifts you have? Recognizing that God is the Giver of all you have should inform your decisions and choices and the things you do with what God has deposited into your care. There are many who honour themselves and concentrate a lot of efforts into using what they have to satisfy self without taking cognizance of the One who has given them all things.

Bezaleel and Oholiab in Exodus 35:30-35 were called and commissioned by the Lord to use that which He has deposited into them to fulfil His purpose during the journey of the Israelites in the wilderness. They would be mistaken to think that the ability they had was first for personal gain before it is for the will of God to be fulfilled. How we see what we have determines how we use it and to what end.

You must honour the Lord with all of your possessions, including your talents because He’s the One who has given them to you. Without the Lord filling you with His abilities, you cannot have them, and like the men in the parable of Jesus who were given talents to trade with, maximizing the use of your gifts is actually one way to honour God with it. Do not be mediocre with what God has given you. Be productive, multiply and increase.

Reflections: Have I discovered the potentials, talents and gifts God has deposited in me? Do I honour God with my talents? Am I productive with them?

Confession: I declare that my life brings glory to God in every way. I am productive and diligent. I do not lack strength and courage to develop and grow into God’s will for me.

Related Scripture: Exodus 35, 36; Matthew 25:14-30

Bible Reading: Genesis 3 & 4