Daily Devotional: What To Do With Talents

​What are God's expectations about you as a steward? Read to learn God's standards about our money, time, and gifts.

Matthew 25:14-30

“And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.”

The parable of the talents helps us understand what Jesus excepts of us in this life. God loans us time, money, and resources. He gives each of us an ability to use those resources. How we use the gifts God has given us determines our eternal occupation.
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When God gives you a gift, He expects you to use it wisely. He expects you to take it to the place where it can thrive (the market), let it work the way it was designed to work (build interest), and then return the ability to God having increased it (made interest). This is a beautiful analogy. A singer cannot increase the gift God has given him if he becomes a lawyer. A lawyer cannot increase the gift God has given him if he becomes a missionary. Such mirrors the thought that each of us has a specific calling in life. If we try to do something other than our calling, even if it is a noble cause, we cannot be fruitful for Christ.

It is our responsibility to recognize and use the abilities God has given us. There are certain talents that each of us possess. Sometimes you cannot see it ourselves, but your friends and family know the areas in which you are gifted. If you are gifted in listening, it only makes sense to find an occupation where you can serve people by listening to them. If you have a gift for organization, seek an occupation that requires great organizational skills.

This may seem extremely straight-forward, but how many of us are in jobs that are not suited for our gifts? I myself worked in a profession for three years before I realized that I was not using the gifts God had given me and needed to find a new career. I had taken the job for the classic reason of needing a full-time position to pay bills. I was more concerned about taking care of my physical needs than serving those around me by using my talents. While at the time it seemed like a good decision, by accepting that career I was in fact burying the talent God had given me.

If you try to use a talent and it bears no fruit, then you are probably not in the correct position. Christ promises that if we abide in Him, we will bear fruit. That is the best way to know if you have found your calling; the talent God gave you is bearing fruit. This is the same as gaining interest by being put to usury; the ability is planted in a place where it can thrive, bear fruit, and return that fruit back to the owner, Christ.

• Reflection: Are you living your life according to what is practical or according to the gifts God has given you? Leave a comment below to share what God is doing in your life.