I teach an early morning bible study class during the week to the youth in my church. One morning our discussion was found in the pages of Matthew 25, concerning the Master who gave three different servants talents. We talked about what each element of the parable represents, the Master being God and the servants His disciples. The talents are the gifts God blesses us with to accomplish the personal ministries God has for us to fulfill.
The third servant gives an interesting reason why he did not seek to multiply his gifts as the other servants did. “I knew thee that thou art a hard man… and I was afraid, and went and hid thy talents in the earth” (v.24-25).
What principles can be learned from this response? One that strikes me is that when I don’t have a correct understanding of God, His character, and attributes, it is hard to exercise faith that He will help me in my personal endeavors. The servant was afraid of how God would respond to His offering, so He did nothing other than hide in fear. Fear can prevent us from using the gifts and abilities the Lord has given us. On the contrary, as we exercise faith and offer ourselves and our gifts to Him, he can multiply our capabilities, expand our capacity, and lead us to accomplish great good.
Internalizing truth like this helps change our behavior.
In what ways can you and I exercise faith in God to recognize, develop, and use the gifts God has given us to change the world for better?
This quote by President Russel M. Nelson expresses this concept beautifully,
My husband and I are in the process of creating a family business to support mental and emotional health in individuals. The idea has come slowly like a sunrise on a foggy morning (and is still coming). The way to get there is taking time, energy, and resources. As my husband and I talk about the business, we realize that the revelation about how to create it the way God sees it can be will continue to come as we take steps forward each day. Knowing that “by small and simple things, great things come to pass” (Alma 37:6).
My invitation to you is to follow the call to action from President Nelson. Act in faith, knowing God has blessed you with very special and specific gifts. He blessed you with them and He can teach you how He would like you to use them. Then act. Miracles will occur. You will see your gifts multiplied and God using you in ways that can change the world.
Photos by Carolyn V and Steve Johnson on Unsplash
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