Each of us has been given skills and talents by God. The question is, “How do we make use of them?”
Do we use them for the glory of God and the good of the people around us? Or do we just use them for our own sake, regardless if we hurt other people in the process? Also, many times, we don’t even see the talents and skills God has blessed us with. We don’t recognize and accept them. Instead, many of us think them worthless and wish for other skills and talents that other people have.
It’s time we reflect and be grateful for all the skills, talents and blessings God bestowed on us, for they will surely help us have a fruitful life, and hopefully, be a way for us to help others have good lives as well. Although, it is nice to be charitable in terms of material things, it is also our mission and a great opportunity to share a part of ourselves to our brothers and sisters in need, by using our talents and skills to help them. For instance, are you a person of great physical strength? Then, perhaps, when you see someone needing help with carrying something heavy beyond their strength, you can lend them a hand. Are you a good singer? Then, perhaps you can be part of the church choir, or sing an inspiring song to someone really down. We ALL have skills and talents we can share with the world. It’s time we start using them, for the good of our neighbors and the glory of God.
Let us not be like the useless servant in the parable below, who did not make use of what he has been given by his master, thus, gaining nothing but punishment in the end. What God has given us, let us use wisely. Do not hide them. Instead, use them well so as to make it grow. Be fruitful.
The Parable of the Three Servants()
14 At that time the Kingdom of heaven will be like this. Once there was a man who was about to leave home on a trip; he called his servants and put them in charge of his property.15 He gave to each one according to his ability: to one he gave five thousand gold coins, to another he gave two thousand, and to another he gave one thousand. Then he left on his trip.16 The servant who had received five thousand coins went at once and invested his money and earned another five thousand.17 In the same way the servant who had received two thousand coins earned another two thousand.18 But the servant who had received one thousand coins went off, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money.
19 After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them.20 The servant who had received five thousand coins came in and handed over the other five thousand.
You gave me five thousand coins, sir, he said.
Look! Here are another five thousand that I have earned.21
Well done, you good and faithful servant! said his master.
You have been faithful in managing small amounts, so I will put you in charge of large amounts. Come on in and share my happiness!22 Then the servant who had been given two thousand coins came in and said,
You gave me two thousand coins, sir. Look! Here are another two thousand that I have earned.23
Well done, you good and faithful servant! said his master.
You have been faithful in managing small amounts, so I will put you in charge of large amounts. Come on in and share my happiness!24 Then the servant who had received one thousand coins came in and said, Sir, I know you are a hard man; you reap harvests where you did not plant, and you gather crops where you did not scatter seed.25 I was afraid, so I went off and hid your money in the ground. Look! Here is what belongs to you.
26
You bad and lazy servant! his master said.
You knew, did you, that I reap harvests where I did not plant, and gather crops where I did not scatter seed?27 Well, then, you should have deposited my money in the bank, and I would have received it all back with interest when I returned.28 Now, take the money away from him and give it to the one who has ten thousand coins.29 For to every person who has something, even more will be given, and he will have more than enough; but the person who has nothing, even the little that he has will be taken away from him.30 As for this useless servant—throw him outside in the darkness; there he will cry and gnash his teeth.