Use the Gifts God Has Given You

Jesus told the Parable of the Talents -- a story He taught to help us know the importance of using the gifts and talents He's given us. When the servants used their talents wisely, the Master said, "Well done, good and faithful servants ...enter into the joy of the Lord!" And to the one who buried his talents, he was banished from the Master's presence. (Matthew 25:14-30)It wasn't so much what they were given -- it's what they did with what they were given that mattered.

So what talents have you been given? Are you a great cook? How about investing in your children and grandchildren by teaching them how to cook? Wouldn't that be a great example of multiplying your talents? Are you great at sports? Use those athletic talents to teach and encourage others in their athletic abilities. How about being a part of a girls' or boy's club where you invest in kids becoming the best they can be -- helping them discover their abilities and talents. Are you an aspiring artist and you recognize you have been given special abilities? Then continue to train, practice and become skilled in your craft -- and spread those talents to others. We are stewards of our wealth, and I use wealth very loosely here, well beyond material possessions. For example, if I can write and speak fairly well, those are talents entrusted to me. I can bury them in the ground out of fear, or I can push out of my shell and strive to create increase for all.

Joel Osteen said, "Don't just coast through life relying on what you've already learned. There is skill, talent and potential put in you by the Creator of the universe, but you have to develop it." -- Joel Osteen

I completely agree with Joel. I have no intention of coasting through life -- in fact I'm on the fast train to do more, be more, live more, learn more and celebrate my Creator's gifts to me! There's room for you on this train -- won't you join me?