Everyone Is Gifted

“For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves, and entrusted his possessions to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability” (Matthew 25:14-15)

 

The truth that God has entrusted talents or abilities to each one of us is equally pointed out in other passages, “And since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let each exercise them accordingly” (Romans 12:6). In the book Nine Things a Leader Must Do, the author Dr. Henry Cloud points out two important observations that have a bearing upon the idea that everyone has God-given talents:

 

• Success is not inherently linked to any one personality type. I believe at times we think we cannot get ahead or do great things for God because we are not a certain “personality”. Rather, all personalities can succeed.

• People who are successful do not stay stuck in the same mistakes over and over again; they learn and move on. They do not keep repeating proven failure and they do not stubbornly cling to what does not work.

• Successful people basically follow or practice the same principles.

 

That Talent is a Gift from God

“And entrusted his possessions to them” (Matthew 25:14). Whatever gifts I have, those gifts are actually part of God’s wealth; it is one of His possessions. I have been given this talent for far more than mere self-interest. Somewhere in the Kingdom of God this talent is needed and Paul reminds us that one reason we work is “in order that he may have something to share with him who has need” (Ephesians 4:28).

 

My Talent Is Useful

“According to his own ability” (Matthew 25:15). God never expects or demands too much of us and neither are we ever given a gift that is beyond our ability to handle, control, or use effectively. Our particular gifts are a perfect match for who we are.

 

The Temptation to Bury

“But he who received the one talent went away and dug in the ground, and hid his master’s money” (Matthew 25:18).

 

• Dr. Cloud reminds us that, “There is no shortage of things in this life that can cause you to bury your heart and soul” (p. 19). “What caused you to bury your treasure? Was it a harsh or over-indulgent parent? A tough relationship? A lack of opportunity or resources that caused you to give up? A subculture that put you down? Other people who did not like what you brought forth from inside your heart and soul? The times you tried and failed?” (Cloud p. 19). In this particular case we find that the reason for burying was “fear” (25:25).

• We might say that we buried a talent because we were beaten down by family who said we never could do something, or we might claim we lacked the confidence to proceed. Others may claim their talent lay buried because they were given bad advice, or they were surrounded by negative people. Yet it is noteworthy to look at what the Master said, “You wicked and lazy slave” (Matthew 25:26). It is easy to blame others for our lack of personal growth, but at the final accounting there will be no one to blame. The one talent man said basically, “It is not my fault”, and the Master responded, “It is your fault”. The one talent man claimed, “I am not accountable” yet God said, “You are accountable”.

 

Evidence that we are burying Talents

1. Letting long term wishes and dreams go ignored. Don’t confuse envy with desire. You may be envious of someone else’s position or success because you have lost touch with your own dreams.

2. Living through other people and often the biggest sign that tells us of things buried in the heart is numbness and a life that does not feel alive.

3. Being “bugged” by something that we cannot readily identify.

4. A feeling of not accomplishing anything significant and that one is living a purposeless life.

5. Lack of activity on our part, not being involved, and being annoyed by God’s expectations.

 

 

The Danger of Avoiding Risk

“And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground” (Matthew 25:25). It looks like the reason this man did this was because he was afraid of losing the talent through some sort of investment or deal that might go bad. “There is very little reward in life without taking risks. The one who buried his treasure in the ground did so to avoid risk of loss, failure, and disapproval. In the end, though, he reaped all three of these disasters. Clearly avoidance of risk is the greatest risk of all”(Cloud p. 24). A classic example of this happens in relationships, especially marriage where one or both parties hides and withdraws from conflict. Many men and women have learned that “withdrawing and trying to stay out of trouble” only leads to trouble. Avoiding conflict only brings conflict.

 

The Risk We are Talking About

The Master in the parable did not expect the one talent man to just “roll the dice”, rather the risks that are demanded of us by God are sensible and reasonable, and are not gambling. At the very least, the man was reminded that he could have simply put the money in the bank (25:27) and gained interest. God wants us to use our gifts, but use them with forethought and prudence, “The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way (give thought to his ways)” (Proverbs 14:8). People who succeed in relationships, jobs, or life in general will tell you that their decision was not impulsive. They only made their moves after much preparation and thoughtfulness.

 

Excavating Long Buried Talents

Dr. Cloud reminds us that one of the worst things to die with is “potential” or we might say, “unused potential”. We only get one life here, “potential is something to be realized, not guarded or protected. So dig it up!” (p. 27). As Solomon noted, “Whatever your hand finds to do, verily do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going” (Ecclesiastes 9:10). That is, earthly talents cannot be saved and used later in heaven. I think some people are thinking, “Well, I never got to do such and such—oh well, I will get to do that in heaven”.

 

Practical Steps

1. Define your passion; what do you love to do. Ask yourself what are the dreams or goals you had years go that you may have buried?

2. Do not get discouraged. One can always start out small. Remember, talents often need to be developed and trained. Avoid the mistake of thinking that a talent is only something at which you are naturally gifted the first time you do it. Very few talents come “instant and ready for use”; most need dusting off, practice, diligence, work and training.

3. Seeking advice from others and some sort of coaching or training will help fine tune your talents.

4. Don’t focus only on “immediate results”. As you start out small and gradual, appreciate the fact that your are finally doing something you love.

5. Do not merely use the gift for your own personal benefit or it will become a chore, instead find a way to use it to benefit others.

 

Guard Carefully Your View of God

“Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed” (Matthew 25:24).

 

1. Notice that the first two servants embraced and appreciated the chance to do something for the Master (25:16 “Immediately”). In addition, consider the enthusiasm and pride in their voices when the Master shows up (25:20). Neither of these men resented responsibility or challenges.

2. Yet the one talent man viewed the same privilege as a burden. How do I view life and its challenges, as opportunities to overcome and do God proud, or as burdens to be resented?

3. The one talent man viewed the Master as hard, while it appears that the two other servants viewed Him as generous, merciful, friendly and kind.

4. It appears that the one talent man thought that his one talent really did not matter, that the Master could “afford” for him to not use it. That is, that the Master had so much that what he did with his one talent would not really matter. But it did matter!

5. The “interest” from my gift will make a difference in the lives of others, including the lives of my children, spouse, and the local congregation.

 

“Those who take what they possess, invest it in life, and are diligent and faithful with it over time, grow and build something good. But those who allow fear to keep them from stepping out, not only fail to increase what they have, they actually lose it”(Cloud p. 23). Determine today to develop, and employ your talents to reach your full potential in honoring God.