In the Parable of the Ten Minas, Jesus tells a parable about servants who were given a mina (about three months’ wages) and were told ‘put this money to work’ (Luke 19:13). We get to see the results of three of the servants. The first servant put the mina to work and earned ten more, the second also put the mina to work and earned five more, however, the third servant only returned the mina given to him. He did not put the mina to work (as instructed) and therefore did not return an increase. 

The first two servants were faithful with what they were given. They were also obedient to the command they were given to put the money to work, and because of their faithfulness and obedience they were able to return five times and ten times what they were given. The third servant, because of his fear, was not faithful with what he was given and not obedient to the command, and instead of receiving blessings as the other servants did, he instead received judgment and the little he had was taken away.

In a similar way to the servants who were given mina, we have all been given gifts and talents from God and we were not given them to hide them away until His return. We were given them to put them to work, to bring Him glory and tell others about Him. It can be easy to get stuck in the trap of thinking someday we’ll put our gifts and talents to use for God’s kingdom. It can be easy to think we aren’t old enough, wise enough, wealthy enough, or have enough influence. The truth is that we have exactly what we need to make an impact for God’s kingdom. As we are faithful and obedient in the place God has us, we will see the fruitfulness of using the gifts He’s blessed us with. We will see lives changed for His kingdom. We will realize that whether we have little, or whether we have much, when we put fear aside and walk in faithfulness and obedience, we will experience His blessings all around us. We must remain faithful and faith-filled, and not allow fear to stop us from being obedient to what God has called us to

Dear Heavenly Father,

I confess that I have not always used my gifts and talents for You because I have felt they weren’t good enough. I have believed that what I have to offer is too small and insignificant. Yet, I know it is You who blessed me with those very tools that I should be using for Your Kingdom. Lord, I commit to You today that I will use them as a witness for You. Please give me the wisdom, boldness, and anointing, in the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen. 

What talents do you have that you have been hiding away for another time? Think about this, what if David hid his sling and the five smooth stones thinking they were not enough to get the job done? What if he decided he would save them for another time when the task wasn’t so big? What if he would have waited on God to send something bigger or better? How might his story have ended differently? What could you be accomplishing right now with the gifts and talents you have hidden away? It’s time to pull them out and put them to use for God’s glory.