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You may be wondering, “why use a picture of gold for this devotional“? To understand that, you have to read the parable of the talents in Matthew 25. In this story Jesus is sharing with his disciples, Jesus describes a Master leaving his home and leaving talents or “gold” to each of his three servants. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also, he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. - Matthew 25:15-18. Now, if you’re like me I'm pretty conservative when it comes to investing; so, when I read that one tried to protect his master's property, it didn’t seem like such a bad thing, right? Well, you‘ll never guess the master‘s reaction to his servants then. When the master returns, he‘s pleased with the first two servants who multiplied their talents and says “Well done my good and faithful servant, but the last servant who hid the little talent he had he calls “‘You wicked and slothful servant!“.
Wow, that was an intense reaction. To understand why you have to see that it was never about the master’s property, or gold, or any other physical rendition of this story. The message Jesus is sending his disciples is to be faithful with the gifts and talents God has given you. So “Why Gold?” Back then a talent was considered a unit of measurement for gold, but it doesn’t end here. Don’t you see that your talents are like Gold, and can be used to glorify God? This took me some time to understand too, so don‘t feel bad. We have to understand that our lives, our time, and how we make use of it is so valuable to our heavenly father. We want to put God first in every area of our lives (See First and Best devotional), and that begins with using our talent on God’s purpose for our lives and his kingdom. Maybe you're unsure of what that looks like, and need direction on where to start; however, I guarantee you there is something you're good at, and are passionate about that you aren’t using to glorify God. Try giving that time and talent to God today, and see how he multiplies it in your life.; so that one day we can hear “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
Scripture reference: Matthew 25:14-30