Thursday: Growing Our Gifts
Read the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30. What is the most significant thought that stands out to you in this story? Why were the first two servants commended by God and the last servant condemned? What does this parable tell us about the use of our talents? Particularly notice Matthew 25:29.
Image © Krieg Barrie from GoodSalt.com
The master gave to each servant talents according to their “own ability” (Matthew 25:15, NKJV). Each individual received a different amount. One received five talents, another two, and another one. Each servant had a choice of how to invest or use the talents that they were given. A crucial point here is that what they were given wasn’t their own. It belonged to someone else who gave them charge over it.
The concern of the master was not who had superior or who had inferior talents. It was not how many talents each was given. The concern was what each one did with what he had been given.
Paul puts it this way in 2 Corinthians 8:12 (NKJV), “For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have”. For God, what matters isn’t so much what you have, but rather, what you do with what you have.
God commended the first two servants because they were faithful in using their talents. Their talents increased with use. The “wicked” servant did not use the talent the master had given him, and it did not increase. It is an eternal truth that “The law of service becomes the connecting link which binds us to God and to our fellow men”. — Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 326. The unfaithful servant squandered his opportunity to serve and ultimately lost the ability to serve.
When we use the gifts that God has given us for the glory of His name, they will increase, expand, and grow. How can you discover the gifts God has given you? Humbly ask God to reveal to you the areas He desires you to serve in for ministry. As He impresses you, get involved. Your gifts will grow as you use them, and you will find satisfaction in His service.
| Think about this parable and apply it to your own life. What, if anything, does it say to you about what you are doing with what you have been given by God? (Remember, anything that you have is a gift from God, too). |
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Did I ever tell you the story about the two guys, Bill and Don who wanted to be weightlifters? Bill really wanted to be a good weightlifter, so he bought a book “Weightlifting for Dummies” and he spent hours reading it from cover to cover. Then he went to a conference called “Heavy Lifting: and listened to motivational speakers who told how weightlifting had made a difference in their lives. Bill thought that was really good stuff and he bought their DVDs and found their web pages so that he could read more and see video clips and listen to podcasts put out by successful weightlifters. He also bought the book, “Testimonies to Weightlifters!” and after three months of reading he thought he knew everything there was to know about weightlifting.
Don searched out an expert weightlifter, Joe, and told him that he wanted to be a weightlifter just like him. Joe looked Don up and down and asked him if he was willing to do what he told him to do. Don agreed. Joe pointed to a 45kilo bag of cement and told Don to lift it up high and hold it. Then just when Don felt he could hold it no longer, Joe said to put the bag down gently. Then he asked Don to do it all over again. This action was repeated several times over the next hour. So much so that Don went home tired. The next morning, he was sore but went back to see Joe. The same activity was repeated again and again day after day. Every now and then the weight was increased.
Who do you think became the best weightlifter?
I was told at the beginning of my teaching career not to draw moral lessons out of stories because readers/listeners are intelligent and can do that for themselves. So, I will leave you to it; but, understand this; I am not telling you not to read.
Some say you must be fully engaged with Christ before you can give your witness of your Lord and Saviour. Others say your witness can start on your way to a full relationship with Jesus. I say the later, as waiting to be fully engaged may never come. Good story Marice. Yes, Growing Into Christ requires, reading, prayer, meditation, and getting engaged with the One who loves you.
Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming, I should have received mine own with usury.
KJV Matt 25:27.
Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest.
ESV Matt 25:27
Talent= money
Usury= interest built on the money.
Saving the money in the bank will not yield much money if any at all. The money has to be used/invested. So is our talent. Keeping our talents to ourselves will not do us nor anyone any good. The man in the story went and hid his in the ground. Safe and secure.
Today question- 'Think about this parable and apply it to your own life. What, if anything, does it say to you about what you are doing with what you have been given by God? (Remember, anything that you have is a gift from God, too).'
I have an elderly friend I met years ago. I offered to help her anytime she needs, she lives alone. I called her to check up on her during the weekend. She told me she was not so well cause she wanted to go to the doctor's (foot problem). We had our mask on all the time, with distancing. I offer to take her for free. I took her and she offered me something. I insisted I don't need it, truthfully, I don't need it. She placed it in the vehicle. I had a certain amt in mind. When I looked at it, it was 4 times the amt I had in mind. But she insisted I should have it.
I am not a taxi driver, neither a lift driver, nor nothing of the sort, but I used my talent and it brought in something. Our talents given to humans are so broad and wide, no member of the body of Christ should go about thinking they can't do anything, either for free or for a price to feed the family.
Many have their vehicles so clean that it is put down like a toy. Our vehicles like any other thing can be used to bring glory to God. I realized the COVID is around but we have to do things safely and ask Jesus the 'know-how' in moving on with the gospel and our lives.
Strength is a talent. In the morning when we pray for strength, it is given to most of us. Strength should then be used in a manner pleasing to our maker. When I was in school full time, I had two jobs and a family. People used to ask me where did my strength come from, I pointed them to Jesus. Many other did this also, it is not unique to me alone.
I do not ask for the strength to sit in front of the TV. etc, etc. Time is money and it is precious.
Growing is mentioned a lot in the Bible, I would venture to say that the LORD's strategy is based on exponential growth, if you have faith the size of a tiny mustard seed you can change the world.
Use it or lose it!
Hello Maurice:
And anyone who wishes to post about my question here, please read below:
“So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter.” (2 Thess 2:15) “For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you….” (1 Cor 11:23) “For I handed on to you as of first importance what I also received….” (1 Cor 15:3) “…I know whom I have believed [i.e., Jesus], and I am sure that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. Follow the pattern of the sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus; guard the truth that has been entrusted to you by the Holy Spirit who dwells within us.” (2 Tim 1:11-14) “You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Tim 2:1-2) “…I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” (Jude 1:3)
This is the area of study I am now. As a person of current Catholic Faith-yet questioning certain things, and also in question of Luthers' Sola Scriptura, this area as to why our Catholic Sacred Traditions are Biblical, and not something just made up. As noted Sacred Tradition (most all things done in the Catholic Faith journey back to the Temple-and why those things represent what they do). You will see where it is stated hold fast to the traditions....this is the area which I seem to be so "hung up on" when it comes to my current faith. I also am concerned Luther's Sola Scriptura was just simply not manageable due to "man's interpretation". The concern I have is the reason we see so many denominations now. I am really battling this within my conscience, and yet still find a calling with the SDA. Can someone please help me discern what I see here? G-D bless you all for any post which will help me to continue on my journey. I am currently identifying with this amazing SDA Church-but am struggling with much difficulty with not approaching The Sacrements-and the ancient Traditions...please everyone have a wonderful evening... 🙂
Hi John, Let me think about this a bit. I can see where you are coming from but I would like to give you a different perspective for you tho think about. It will probably take a couple of days. God Bless as you study.
Thank you sir.
John, As a teacher I’m sure Maurice’s return post will be worth waiting for. For the moment, give some thought to this.
In Jesus’ day, it was the traditions and man made rules of Pharisees and Sadducees that had all but replaced the Gospel of a coming Saviour from sin. They had replaced the prophecies of God/Man sent from heaven to make things right (fulfill the demands of the Law) with God the Father, with an earthly Vicar who would bring about a Priestly Kingdom on earth and return Israel to its pinnacle of physical/earthly glory.
The book of Hebrews was written to “Blow up” the tradition of Israel had come to see as truth. Christ came to win the victory over sin and death. He alone is our intercessor and has re-established His Kingdom here and in Heaven. He alone holds the keys to heaven/hell and death/life. He is our only Priest/King and as He intercedes on our behalf. He is preparing and new heaven and new earth to take us home to.
Hi Bro John,
I will pray that God's Word will be a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path. God bless you as you study the scriptures, 2 Tim 2:15 to make you of more noble character Acts 17:11
Hi John, while Maurice gets back to you on your questions above, I only wanted to address your question related as to why there are so many religions in the world. I was born in a christian home, but at the age of 17 yrs. old I left the church and became an atheist, an agnostic, non-believer and also delved out of curiosity into various schools of spiritual thought such as psyche,Spiritualism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Islam, etc. Eighteen years later my life hit bottom and no one to go to, so very presumptuously I asked God that if He really existed, to get me out of my detrimental situation and I would go back to His ways. God did not get mad at me or struck me down with a lighting bolt. He simply said, ok, I will. And so He did! As soon as the next day God started working for me in straightening up my life. A year and a half later I re-baptized in a SDA church and have been tremendously blessed as an SDA church member for the last 25 years. The fundamental reason as to why Christianity is superior over any other religious system lies in the excellence of its founder, Jesus Christ. Abraham, Buddha, Mohamed, Confucius are reduced to insignificance next to Jesus. The mere attempt to compare them only enhances the sublime and perfect character of the Savior of the world. Let's look at some aspects of the life of Christ that belong only to Him and that qualify Him to be our only and powerful Redeemer: 1. Virgin Birth - Christ was the son of God and thanks to his supernatural birth, he became the son of man. All the other spiritual guides are human beings full of faults, who will never be able to elevate men above their own miseries. 2. Unimpeachable Character - Jesus loved all humanity. Others, when contemplating their peers, feel curiosity, indifference and even contempt. 3. Supernatural Power - through his life and miracles He demonstrated his extraordinary power, which no other person possesses (Matt. 28: 18-20). 5. Atonement Death - before his incarnation, Jesus knew the path of pain and shame that he would have to travel when he became our Savior. He chose to die for us. 6. Glorious Resurrection - Abraham, Buddha, Mohamed, Confucius, and any other founder of a religion are still in their graves. You go to Jesus' tomb and there is nothing there. Christ rose mightily, gloriously, and because He lives, we can confidently encourage the hope of eternal life. Christ is the only and sufficient Savior. My question is this; why are there so many christian denominations in the world when there is only one Bible? If you google how many christian denominations there are in the world, you'll be surprised with the results. I googled this question three times and came out with three different answers very close to each other; 35,000, 30,000 and 40,000 different christian denominations recorded in the world. Why so many different interpretations of the same book, the Bible? I have a theory... The devil knows that the Bible is the Word of God that contains the sole truth for mankind salvation and that there is only one way to interpret the Bible, and that is the Bible itself. Someone once asked a priest how to defend the Bible. The priest replied; the same way we defend a lion. The person then asked; but how do you defend a lion? The priest replied; you'd open his cage. So, why would the devil bother to confuse any other religious system (Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, Confucianism, Atheism/Agnosticism, Judaism, Shinto, Zoroastrianism, Druze, Bahá'í, and many more...) that do not have the truth of salvation through Jesus Christ based on the Bible? There is no need for it. That's why he has attacked Christianity instead from its onset and has placed confusion, misunderstanding, disagreement and disparity in the minds of those who decide to give Christianity a chance after having read the Bible, because he does not want any human to be saved (1 Peter 5:8-9). Blessings.
John, I hope you don't mind if I discuss your questions in little bits (I was going to say "answer" but that is the wrong emphasis - we are fellow learners in this). And thank you for the challenge.
The word in Greek is "paradoseis", and while it is frequently translated as "tradition" it has a sense of oral instruction that gives it a slightly different meaning to our rather narrow interpretation we use today. Essentially Paul is telling the Thessalonians not to forget the things that he had told them when he was visiting them in person.
In the Jewish context, paradoseis is used to refer to the Oral Torah. For the Jews there were two Torahs. The written Torah (essentially the 5 books of Moses) and the Oral Torah that refers to the oral tradition passed on by rote learning. This was later written down in the Talmud and Mishna. When you read the Pauline epistles you get a sense that he is essentially establishing a new teaching (tradition).
Just something to think about.
I am still working on the "Sola Scriptura" one. It is overquoted and sometimes poorly understood but it will need some work before I post a set of ideas to think about.
John, there is nothing wrong with traditions if they are in harmony with the Word of God(Scripture). "Sola Scriptura" means to base all our belief and practice on the Word of God, which He has given that we might each know His will. As we immerse ourselves into this Word, we will discover that Jesus taught that those who obey will understand, and those who do not obey will believe lies. Also, we are to "prove all things", and not simply accept an idea because someone in a high position says to, or because others accept it. Pray always for help in understanding, while obeying all that you understand God has asked you to obey. Believe and claim His promises. Scripture will interpret itself, and will prove whether the interpretations of others are true or not.
There are many denominations, yet as you follow God's Word, you will find that many claim to be servants of God who are not. Jesus said that many would say "Lord, Lord", but He calls them "workers of iniquity". He also taught that many would come in His name (claiming to be followers of Christ), but would deceive many.
God's Word is the lamp for our feet and light for our path (Psalm 119:105), and the more you come to understand it, you will see that very few are following it while claiming to believe it. This is not a judgment, but an observation, as Jesus taught that a tree will be known by its fruit. He has warned us to "take heed, lest any deceive you!", which we may do by following His Word. Paul commended the Bereans for searching the scriptures to confirm the teachings of Paul and all others, which all must do.
The issue of "Sola Scriptura" is actually more complicated than just the bare translation "Bible Alone". While Luther is credited with the original statement it is often quoted out of context and with a fundamentalist fervour to support specific views.
I will side-step the issue by saying that I believe their are three sources that contribute to our spiritual understanding. Our reading of Scripture itself, the influence of the Holy Spirit, and the community of believers. If we leave out any one of those elements we are likely to end up with a warped sense of spirituality.
Some examples:
I have had to deal with many people who have developed their own interpretation of the Bible, often claiming to be led by the Holy Spirt, that have ended up with whacky ideas that are quite foreign to common sense.
I have also seen churches overstep their mandate by coercing their adherents into practices on the basis that they need to do certain things in order to be saved.
Neither of these extremes lead to spiritual growth.
When we accept the Bible as the written basis for our faith and combine that with an intereactive relationship with those who share the same spirit of inquiry, then that leads to spiritual growth. There is a tendency in some churches, ours included, in an effort to present a united face to the world to issue statements of belief in a sense that truth is static, something to be arrived at. Rather I see the church as a framework for growing. It is the interaction of the searcher for truth with the community of believers (the church if you like) that leads to spiritual understanding and growth.
Luther's "Sola Scriptura" stance is set in the situation where he saw the church as dictating what to believe and how to behave. Up until that time, the Bible was not readily available to ordinary people and Christians had had to rely on what the clergy told them about it. Now the Bible was more available and in the language of the people once again. They could read it for themselves. I see Luther's "Sola Scriptura" stance not as a doctrinaire position but rather an invitation for the common man to read the Bible for themselves and test their faith against what they read there.
By the way, you may like to read an article I wrote earlier this year on the history of the Bible:
Transmission and Translation of the English Bible
It may be pertinent to this discussion.
I came that they might have life and life more abundantly.
Bro John I am going to pray for you now. But I must let you know that as you grow in Christ many things will be revealed to you. No one does not expect you to get rid of years of your teaching, it will take some time. Did you got to read the book 'the Great Controvesy' by EG White. Many of your questions will be answered about tradition. When Paul spoke about tradition, was he speaking about what we see presently? The children of Isreal had several traditions in Egypt after they spent four hundred years in that place. In the wilderness some of the leaders asked Aaron to build a golden calf to worship as their god. They stated it was the calf/god that brought them out of Egypt, so they wanted him to take then back.
Will cont
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the TRADITION of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power. Col 2:8-10
“Ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.... In vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” Matthew 15:6,9.
What is a religious tradition- According to the Oxford dictionary, a theology tradition is a doctrine believed to have divine authority though not in the scriptures.
Were there any traditions of Jesus? yes/no? What were the traditions of Jesus?
What were the traditions of Men? Do those traditions continue to this day? How do so many religions have so many traditions that are not biblical but man-made?
'The warnings of the word of God regarding the perils surrounding the Christian church belong to us today. As in the days of the apostles men tried by TRADITION and philosophy to destroy faith in the Scriptures, so today, by the pleasing sentiments of higher criticism, evolution, spiritualism, theosophy, and pantheism, the enemy of righteousness is seeking to lead souls into forbidden paths. {AA 474.1}
Spiritualism- Rev 16:13-14. Three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, beast, and the false prophets. These are the spirits of devils, working miracles.
I grew up in a home seeing my father who was a free Mason and my mother was in a society that had some strange beliefs. At my work, I come across people who make healing blankets and Rosary. I will ask them about it and its origin, what are they used for, and to educate me more. (public knowledge, can google same). People usually ask me if I need any or if I need figurines? They will tell be those things have power. I point men and women to Jesus as the healer and the one who will heal the sin-sick soul. Jesus is the only one as a Christian I need to be connected to, as my source of power.
My elderly friend yesterday in my post is an RC.
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying...And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so, shall ye make it. Ex 25:1-9
When the Lord asked Moses to make a sanctuary and to place
ornaments inside of it, all of those things in the sanctuary, as well as the sanctuary services, represented and pointed to Christ who was to come to save men from their sins. At the death of Christ, those services and feast days and ornaments in the sanctuary were nailed to the cross. The veil was torn from top to bottom-God fulfilled his promise. It is finished.
'As their minds have grasped the significance of the familiar prophecies so long obscured by tradition and misinterpretation, their hearts have been filled with gratitude to God for the unspeakable gift He bestows upon every human being who chooses to accept Christ as a personal Saviour. {AA 379.3}
There were some Jews who did not believe that Jesus was God and continued all of their former traditions. Many of their traditions were rooted in "Righteous by Works". The more works they did, the more they thought Jesus will love them and they will please him. As a result, they added more and more words and saying to the Moral law to protect the law. The Moral law became such a burden to a man that they themselves could not keep it, but they wanted men to keep it. And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter, but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness. Luke 11:37-54
Heathens also had their traditions in the bible.
“When the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.” This statement was in harmony with a tradition of theirs that the gods occasionally visited the earth. Barnabas, they called Jupiter, the father of gods, because of his venerable appearance, his dignified bearing, and the mildness and benevolence expressed in his countenance. Paul, they believe to be Mercury, “because he was the chief speaker,” earnest and active, and eloquent with words of warning and exhortation. {AA 181.2}
Ephesus was a popular center for the worship of Diana. The fame of the magnificent temple of “Diana of the Ephesians” extended throughout all Asia and the world. Its surpassing splendor made it the pride, not only of the city but of the nation. The idol within the temple was declared by tradition to have fallen from the sky. Upon it were inscribed symbolic characters, which were believed to possess great power. Books had been written by the Ephesians to explain the meaning and use of these symbols.
{AA 286.2}
“Pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot. 1 Peter 1:17
As I see it, growing our spiritual gifts has everything to do with living a Holy Spirit- and faith-directed life. My focus when learning about the Kingdom of God is usually to discover the underlying motive/reason and/or resulting effect when doing something related to the Christian life.
Why can we expect to experience a 'growth' in the effectiveness of our God-given, spiritual gifts, talents, disposition; what causes it?
Heb.11:1 - "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen".
John15:4-8 - v.5: "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing". v.8 "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples".
2Cor.5:1-10 - v.7: "For we walk by faith, not by sight:'.
Eph.2:8-10 - v.8 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: v.9: Not of works, lest any man should boast".
Rom.12:1-21 - Our whole person, dedicated to function under a new leadership (the Holy Spirit), will blossom into the life which is acceptable to God. Spiritual gifts, talents, the fruit of the Spirit are all being employed and mature as we walk by faith.
The stronger our faith, the more fruit can be produced by the Holy Spirit. The more our life is consecrated to the manifestation of the Gospel message, the more we are given opportunity to engage in the hands-on work of the Gospel.
Phil.3:8-11 - Paul considered his old live and everything related to it but 'dung'. His faith matured as he engaged in the experience of living in the *righteousness OF Christ*, "the righteousness which is of God by faith". He also did not intent to save his new life, but to give it all to the Honor and Glory of God.
Gal.2:20 - 'I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith OF the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me'.
Rom.6:4 - 'Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life'.
Phil.4:4-9 - Everyone has a different disposition/inclination, but everyone is equally capable to participate as a witness to the Gospel message; giving themselves to be used by the Holy Spirit to share God-given abilities and virtues.
Rom.8:28-31 - v.28: 'And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose'.
v.31: "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us"?
In regard to the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:
Malachi 3:18 tells us of a day coming when it will be clear who serves God and who doesn't serve Him, though professing to do so. It seems vital to understand the role of a servant in order to be a profitable servant of God. Do a word study on “servant” in scripture and see what comes up. The story in Matthew 25 is simple to understand and clearly teaches the importance of having a genuine experience and being diligent to understand and faithful do the will of God.
What we each have is time, means, abilities, and choices to make each day according to our knowledge of God and our faith in Him.
Happy Sabbath Eve everyone;
I want to Thank everyone for their thoughts, suggestions and prayers, I truly love this Church! 🙂
IT is interesting to me how that we tend to only resort to the parable of the talents in Matthew but totally ignore the one in Luke. The one in Luke indicates that the Lord and Master gave 10 of His servants the very same gift, no more and no less. The one in Matthew says that The Lord and Master gave one 5 another 2 and another 1 etc. And there are other very significant differences in both of those parable too. So my question is why do we ignore the one in Luke and choose to only resort to the one in Matthew?
Hi Pete - I want to venture an answer to your question - "why do we 'ignore' the one in Luke".
It could be that we interpret the parable in Matthew more easily because it uses the word 'talents'. These talents are equated with gifts given to us to employ when witnessing and can be easily personalized by the reader; therefore the preference when quoting a parable about the Kingdom of God.
The parable in Luke points to Faith and our 'faithfulness' to maintain Faith. This might not be as clear and as easily digested, since some might think that they have been given sufficient enough Faith to last them until the end comes, without considering that Faith, if not practiced, will deteriorate and become ineffectual.
Other parables about faith is Luke 12:35-40; Luke 12:42-48;
Did you have similar thoughts?