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Using Our Talents for God, August 5
For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country,
who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another
one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway
took his journey.
Matthew 25:14, 15
.
The parable of the Talents... has a personal and individual application
to every man, woman, and child possessed of the powers of reason....
When the master of the house called his servants he gave to every man
his
work. The whole family of God are included in the responsibility of using
their Lord’s goods. Every individual, from the lowliest and most obscure
to the greatest and most exalted, is a moral agent endowed with abilities
for which he is accountable to God.... The spiritual, mental, and physical
ability, the influence, station, possessions, affections, sympathies, all are
precious talents to be used in the cause of the Master for the salvation of
souls for whom Christ died.
How few appreciate these blessings! How few seek to improve their
talent and increase their usefulness in the world! The Master has given to
every man his work. He has given to every man according to his ability,
and his trust is in proportion to his capacity.... Let the businessman do his
business in a way that will glorify his Master because of his fidelity. Let
him carry his religion into everything that is done and reveal to men the
spirit of Christ. Let the mechanic be a diligent and faithful representative
of Him who toiled in the lowly walks of life in the cities of Judea....
Those who have been blessed with superior talents should not depreci-
ate the value of the services of those who are less gifted than themselves.
The smallest trust is a trust from God. With the blessing of God, the one
talent through diligent use will be doubled, and the two used in the service
of Christ will be increased to four; and thus the humblest instrument may
grow in power and usefulness.
The earnest purpose, the self-denying efforts, are all seen, appreciated,
and accepted by the God of heaven.... Use your gift in meekness, in
humility, in trusting faith, and wait till the day of reckoning, and you will
have no cause for grief or shame.
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