Are you maximizing your talents?

Today my husband spoke from the parable of talents (Matt 25:14-30).  In this parable, a man goes on a journey and before leaving, he entrusts his servants with his property (talents). When he returned, two of his servants had multiplied the talents they were given while one servant had buried his talent and returned only the original talent to his master.  As a result, this servant's talent was taken and he was called wicked, slothful and unfaithful!  Whoa.  Let us not be found as this servant when Jesus returns!  So let us all ask of ourselves this question:

What am I doing with the talent(s) that God has entrusted to ME??

I remember a time in my life when I thought I had no talent. When I would look at others who were gifted with the ability to sing or teach or create things, etc, and I convinced myself that since I had none of those talents, then I was not talented at all.  This is a oft-too successful trick of the enemy. If he can convince us that we have no talent, then he can prevent us from using those talents to multiply the kingdom of God.  But this lie is exposed in the text of the teaching today.  The scripture tells us that God has given us talents, each and every one of us, according to our individual abilities (Matt 25:15). Yes, that does mean you too!  God has given you a talent that is uniquely yours!

As Pastor described today, in order to carry out His plan of salvation in the earth, it is necessary that God equip us with the tools, gifts, talents and purpose that we can faithfully use to serve Him and bring increase to His Kingdom.  But we must be good stewards over these gifts.  We must not bury them, which is to fail to use them, and we must not use them for personal gain.  This is not to be confused with the idea that we are not to use our gifts for any gain.  Many of the gifts we have been given can be used in the marketplace. For example, our careers, business opportunities, music, writing, etc can be use to increase financially so that we can be a greater blessing to the work of ministry.  As Pastor emphasized today, the more money a faithful servant has, the more capable that servant is of helping and blessing others.  Likewise, the more we use our gifts and financial increase to bless others, the more we, in turn, are blessed more abundantly.

So ask yourself these questions: 

1. What are your talents?  If you're not sure, start with evaluating those things you're passionate about.  Consider, also, the things you're good at and enjoy doing.  Talents are not just the "big" things like singing.  Talents are the things about you that make others better! 
2. Are you maximizing your talent?  Are you actually using those talents to make someone else better?  Don't keep putting off starting that business or going back to school or taking on more responsibility at work.  Don't shy away from encouraging others or leading that small group.  Go ahead and write that book or pursue that new idea that's been in your spirit.  For the rest of your life, be determined to fully exhaust your talents!  
3. Are you using your talents to benefit the Kingdom?  There is so much work to be done in ministry.  More than preaching or teaching or other visible assignments, the work of ministry needs your gifts and talents.  There are far more needs out there than there are people to serve and minister to these needs.  So ask yourself,
4. What more can you do to help in the work of ministry?

My sister, God is expecting you to use the talent you have, whether it is a little or alot, to serve His interests. One of my all time favorite quotes is by Erma Bombeck and it states:

"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me.'"