To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents. In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more. But he who received the one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.   

                                                                                                            Matthew 25:15-18

Today: Read Matthew 25

This life matters. Each of us is specifically designed to accomplish what only we can do. When you consider the amount of time some people spend comparing themselves to others, you begin to realize the power of the enemy’s influence in convincing people that they are inferior to others. The truth is that if we do not use the gifts given to us, the job we were designed to fulfill will either go undone or someone else will receive the blessing for being faithful to accomplish it. Every believer has been given a purpose to fulfill in this life. The Bible refers to these as spiritual gifts. Below are some considerations involving the use of these gifts.

(1) Spiritual gifts are from God.

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord.

                                                                                                       1 Corinthians 12:4-5 

Notice that spiritual gifts come in a number of different varieties. Likewise, ministries come in all different shapes and sizes. But all of the gifts come from the same God. God’s Spirit is our source of power to achieve God-sized results. When the gifting is being used to make an eternal impact in people’s lives, you know it is from God.

(2) Not everyone has the same gift.

For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 

                                                                                                               Romans 12:4-5 

Although as Christians we are all members of the same body (the church), we do not all share the same function. God created you with a specific personality and has gifted you with a uniqueness that no one else can fulfill. Comparing ourselves to one another can rob us of discovering our own purpose and worth. We all have different functions and purposes to fulfill.

(3) Spiritual gifts are to benefit others.

And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ…

                                                                                                         Ephesians 4:11-12 

Our gifts are not only for ourselves. We are gifted to benefit others. Two functions of spiritual gifts, particularly for pastors and teachers, are to equip others to carry out their own purposes and to assist in building up the church. When Christians are equipped, they become stronger. The gifting of God is to create a church that is spiritually strong and prepared to make an impact in the world.

In today’s passage, Jesus uses a parable to explain the kingdom of God. He compares it to three men who were given talents (gifts). In the parable, God gave one man five talents, while giving another two, and yet another just one. This illustrates the first two points mentioned earlier. The gifts are from God but they varied depending on who was receiving them. The point of the parable is that only two of the men used their gifts, earning a return on God’s investment. These “faithful servants” were declared such and received the following response from God:

“Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.”

                                                                                                               Matthew 25:21,23 

The third man was afraid to use his talent and went and buried it in the ground. He was not declared faithful, rather God referred to him as a “wicked and lazy” servant. What he was given was taken away and given to someone else.

This parable is a stark reminder of how important it is for believers to use their spiritual gifts. I believe the most fulfilling thing we can do in this life is to effectively operate in the spiritual gifting that God has designed for us. Your gifting is to be enjoyed. It should bring you fulfillment. When you discover and utilize your spiritual gift it will be confirmed by others around you. If you are unsure of your purpose, talk to those who know you best. There are a variety of gifts and we do not all have the same function, but every believer has a role to play. Are you fulfilling your purpose?