Using Talents for Work (Part Two)
Posted by Al Coburn on July 22, 2003
The parable of the talents teaches each one was given talents to use according to their ability. The man with five and the man with two used their talents. The man with one buried his. He was afraid, so he hid his talent. The lesson in this parable is that God expects us to develop and use our talents; put them to work!
Romans 12:6-8 says, "We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully." (NIV) I will take each of these and list some areas of work.
Prophesying -- The prophets were to make known the message of God to the people. When the word of God was completely finished in the written form of the Bible, the need for divinely inspired prophets ended. Today, men are to make known the word of God by teaching the Bible.
Serving -- 1 Peter 4:10 says, "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." (NIV) There are many areas in which we can serve. Examples at our congregation include: Prime Time Tuesday, ushering, building maintenance, Children's Bible Hour, visiting the sick and shut-ins, etc. We should serve in whatever way we can. Colossians 3:23 states: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men...." (NIV)
Teaching -- There are various ways in which we can teach: Bible School, Vacation Bible School, special classes, one on one, and by example.
Encouraging -- Hebrews 10:24-25 says, "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (NIV) We have examples of those who were encouragers from Acts 11:22-23: "News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts." (NIV) Again in Acts 15:32: "Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers." 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." (NIV) Satan is doing his best to discourage us, so we need to continually encourage one another. The example of the Christians in Acts 2:46 is a pattern we should follow today.
Contributing to the needs of others -- Dorcas is a good example, as shown in Acts 9:36. Areas we can serve in this capacity are visiting the sick and shut-ins, caring for children of the sick, house cleaning, preparing meals, shopping, providing transportation, etc.
Leadership -- God has set in the church a pattern for leadership in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. Men who serve as elders are to have the qualifications listed in those scriptures. They should govern diligently with all wisdom. 1 Kings 3:9 says, "So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong...." (NIV) May this be the prayer of all who serve as elders. The church needs men who will train themselves to become qualified as elders, just as they train themselves to become leaders in secular fields. Men need to develop their talents to become leaders in the congregation.
Showing mercy -- Matthew 5:7, "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." (NIV) Matthew 18:21-35 is the parable of the unmerciful servant. Read this parable and see how mercy must be shown in our lives to others:
- Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"
Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
"Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
"The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
"But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded.
"His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.'
"But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.
"Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
"This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart." (NIV)
Matthew 9:36, "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." (NIV) There are all crowds all around us today like those Christ saw. What will be our response? Will we respond to them in mercy, or will we ignore them? Mercy will be shown to those who show mercy.
May God kindle a flame in our hearts!