God's Gift of Talents
READ: Luke 19:11-27
Tony was born with a great gift of leadership. He would always help his brothers out and tell them what was right and what was wrong, even when he was very little. When high school came, Tony, instead of being a leader, became a follower and hid his gift of being a leader from his friends because he was afraid they would make fun of him. He didn't like the things they were doing, like drugs, alcohol, and the stealing from stores.
Tony’s story is similar to what Jesus described in the “Parable of the Ten Minas” Luke 19:11-27 where two servants faithfully used the gifts the master gave them, and one did not. God gave Tony the talent of leadership, yet like the lazy servant, he hid it. Tony said he hid it because he was afraid of what his friends would say. Like the master in the parable, we can almost hear God say to Tony, "How could you disappoint me like this? I gave you a talent and you hid it instead of honoring me. You don't deserve to share in the same glory I have given those who shared their talents with the world."
Tony’s sin of not using his talents is forgiven, but a good question comes to our minds: Do we honor God by using the talents He has given us, or do we hide them? The world needs talents that God has given us. We should use our talents to glorify God.
Everyone has a talent. What is yours?
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT: What are some talents that you can share with the world? Why do we hide our talents? Who do we honor when we use our talents?
PRAYER SUGGESTIONS: Ask for help to use our talents to honor God. Pray for those who are afraid to use their talents. Thank God for our talents.