I went and hid your talent in the ground. — Matthew 25:25 (ESV)

Click here to read today’s Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

I once listened to a story narrated by Apostle Joshua Selman about two sons who were raised by an irresponsible father. Years later, one of the sons grew up to become a very successful businessman while the other became a nuisance in his community and did not make anything significant of himself. During an interview, the irresponsible son blamed his father for how he turned out while the wealthy son credited their father for his success. 

The unsuccessful son in this story, who allowed his father’s failures to become an excuse for a wasted life, reminds me of the wicked and slothful servant in Jesus’ parable found in Matthew 25:24-25, who blamed his master instead of making use of the talent the master gave him. (A talent was a monetary unit equivalent to about 15 years’ wages.) The servant became unproductive because he hid his one talent in the ground instead of investing it.

On the other hand, his fellow servants who were given five and two talents, respectively, added more talents to what they were initially given. Like the successful son in Selman’s story, they worked to multiply what they already had, and their master responded by blessing them with more (Mathew 25: 20-23).

As Christians, our present situations, no matter how dire they may be, should not define our future. There is a host of untapped treasures within each of us waiting to be utilized. But to us, our “talent” may seem small compared to that of another person. If only we can look inward and identify what God has given us, and invest the effort to refine what seems ordinary to us, we will surely become extraordinary. When we use what God has given us, He will entrust greater and better things to us. 

Reflect: What gifts and abilities has God given you?  How well are you using them for His Kingdom?

Prayer Starter:

Lord, help me to see what “talents” you have placed within me and in my life. Give me the wisdom and strength to make choices that honor You and build a future full of blessings. 

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