Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Talent & the Kingdom (2)


I ended my previous blog post with the words: 'The advancing (expanding) of the Kingdom is an assignment for the believers'. I am using the term 'the advancing of the Kingdom' to describe the growing amount of believers in Jesus Christ (here on earth).

It is God's desire that every person will welcome King Jesus in their heart and so become a member of God's family, a citizen of the Kingdom. Jesus explains it this way: The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it (Luke 16:16).

As workers, or co-laborers, in the Kingdom of God we have received tools: spiritual gifts, but also natural abilities/talents. Jesus tells a great story to emphasize our assignment to work for this Kingdom in Matthew 25. Let me highlight His introduction: Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.  It doesn't really matter whether this parable is about money, talents or opportunities, the main point is that God entrusts his people with something for a bigger purpose.

Jesus starts this story with the announcement that the man is going on a journey. If Jesus would have left after speaking these words, we still would have learned a spiritual truth: the man does not go away for ever, he is coming back! We also live with the expectation that Jesus is coming back to check on our work, to ask what we have done with the very things He entrusted us with.

2) Jesus will ask us what we have done with the talents he gave us

13 comments:

  1. Thank you for this post. It speaks to my heart. I haven't been doing enough for God for a long while, but recently started writing about him again online. I know he's eager for me to do this, and your post reminds me that he's given me work to do, and I can't ignore this. I'm so grateful that God forgives us for our shortcomings. Thanks again.

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    1. Mona, it is not so much about doing thing for Him, but more about doing things with Him, for His glory. I know you write beautifully from your heart, so keep doing that! Ask God to inspire you again and anew.

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  2. Good things to ponder, Marja! I appreciate you sharing your heart. :)

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    1. You're welcome Karen, this is a topic close to my heart :)

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  3. Hi Marja -

    We take so much for granted and forget we'll have to give an account for the talents He's entrusted to us. It's a sobering thought.

    Blessings,
    Susan

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    1. Sobering and inspiring Susan :) I am thankful for the talents and gifts He has given me, but you're right... sometimes I take 'm for granted.

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  4. Thanks for these posts, Marja. I agree with Susan. Very sobering! I love the quote by Erma Bombeck, "When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me.'"

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    1. LOVE that quote Lynn, thanks for sharing, I will use it later on!

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  5. So important to keep this truth in mind! I love the fact that we're to use the talents He has already given us - He doesn't expect us (nor did He create us)to do what our neighbor is doing. Thanks for the challenge to check up and be sure I'm using my talents for Him, because He IS coming back! Hugs!

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    1. That is often our problem Maria, we are always looking at what others are doing, we even envy them maybe... It is good to look at others for inspiration, but we have to use the talents He has given us.
      Thanks for your comment!

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  6. Anonymous8:38 AM

    nice post thanks for sharing...

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  7. Anonymous1:28 PM

    great post...come take a peek at my blog as well...would love to be friends!

    http://painteroflifekellyjohnson.blogspot.com

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Thanks for your visit, it is my hope and prayer that this post was an encouragement to you! Feel free to leave a comment.