| Matt. 25:14-30 |
"For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave *five talents,($1,920,000.00 in silver) to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ He also who had received two talents came and said, 'Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.' His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ But his lord answered and said to him ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. Therefore you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' "
 Note: The Biblical definition of the word talent is:
A Jewish measure of money.
But what if we think of it another way?
There is another definition in the American Heritage Dictionary:
A natural or acquired ability.
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| Matt. 5:14-16 |
"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." |
| Luke 8:16-18 |
"No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light. Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him." |
| Jas. 1:17 |
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning."
Note: As a young child in grade school I drew a certain horse every day,
and gave it to people who liked it. When I drew that horse again for
the Lord in 1989, His Holy Spirit anointed me, and I was able to go
deeper with the sketching. Then the difference was startling. |
| 1 Pet. 4:10 |
"As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as
good stewards of the manifold grace of God."
See (Sketch Gallery - page 2)
Note: Our natural abilities are gifts that come from God! And God expects
us to use them to help mankind find their way to Him, thus letting His
light shine through us. But if we take those gifts and hide them, or are
fearful that we will not be able to do what He requires of us, we risk
having that gift taken away.
See (Use Your Spiritual Gifts)
Note: It has been my experience that when I take that first step of faith in
the direction God is leading me, to do His will, the Holy Spirit comes
to provide all I need to accomplish that task to the glory of God.
See (On Eagles' Wings) |
