Talent & the Kingdom (5)

Let's continue to look at the parable of the talents and the Kingdom. We have learned some interesting things so far. The Bible speaks about money or property being entrusted to the servants or workers. Basically this is about something we can work with, to build His Kingdom. Something we have received from the Lord: money, talents, opportunities...

Matthew 25:14-15 says: 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 is the man who hands out the talents. A talent is not something we can earn or buy or go to school for. It is a gift from God and it is our assignment to receive it and use it. The question we should ask ourselves therefore is not 'Do I have talent?', but 'What is my talent?'

A talent is an inborn ability, something the Creator put in us while we were still in our mother's womb (see my book Breath of Life, for more on this subject). It is something that:

• we can do fairly easily
• we enjoy doing, and
• that gives us satisfaction

Of course a talent needs to be stimulated, developed and perfected. We can do that by using it! Did I start my writing career writing books? No, not really. I practiced the art of writing in short stories, essays, poetry, articles, columns, press releases etc. etc. Someone once said that talent is 10% gifting and 90% hard work. I think that comes very close to the truth. God gives us our talent(s) as a seed, we need to water it...

TIP: It is very important that, next to our job, family and social life, we make room for our talent. That is the first choice we must make. Turn off the television one evening a week, for starters, or go into another room and ask God to show you WHAT He has put inside of you and HOW He wants you to use it for His glory... that is: to change the world around you.

I am very curious!