Daily Bible Reading: Matthew 25:14-23; Ephesians 2:10
Today I want to continue looking at the subject of gift and talents. In God’s plan, there is no room for comparison or competition among His people, because we each have been given gifts and talents by God that are unique. And everyone has received talent equal to his or her God-given ability. So the question becomes not who possesses what gift; rather, each one of us should be asking the question, What am I doing with the gifts God has given to me?
The fact is, we are responsible for what we’ve been given, and we will be held accountable for the effective use of the gifts and talents placed within us by God. Ultimately, you and I will individually stand and look into the eyes of Jesus one day to give an account for what we did or didn’t do with what He gave us.
That’s why it’s so very important right now to embrace the words the Master spoke to the servant in Matthew 25:23, “…Well done, good and faithful servant….” We must meditate on those precious words over and over until they sink deep into our hearts and we’re living with a continual awareness that eternity awaits each one of us, and what we do on the earth in obedience to God will matter very much. Only then will we live fully embracing and appreciating what God has deposited in us, and we will continually nurture and develop those things for His use and His glory.
Let me share with you some questions we can each ask ourselves about our own faithfulness to God. These eight questions have helped me determine how I’m doing as I perform even the smallest of tasks as unto the Lord. Subscribe to Denise’s 28-Day Journey Email Devotionals!
- Am I doing all that I am responsible for in the best way I know how to do it?
- Am I performing my responsibilities with all my heart?
- How is my attitude toward my responsibilities?
- Do I really want to fulfill my responsibilities with excellence, or do I have an “it-really doesn’t-matter” mindset?
- Do I keep my word to those to whom I give it?
- Am I on time, showing respect for others and their time, or do I make others wait for me?
- Do those I’m called to serve sense my love, excitement, and loyalty, or do they sense boredom, offense, and resentment?
- Can those who ask me to do something depend on my doing it after they’ve left it to my charge?
These are wonderful questions we can ask ourselves so we can grow in our faithfulness to do what God has asked us to do for Him on this earth. As we’re faithful to Him — even when no one is looking — God can say to us, “You’re doing a great job. I’m going to bless you with more.”
If we’re faithful, we will make use of our opportunities, no matter how seemingly small or insignificant. And we’ll be so busy “about our Father’s business” (see Luke 2:49) that we won’t have time to compare ourselves with others’ gifts and talents and with what they’re doing for the Lord.
Friend, how can we be praying for you? God wants you to see yourself as valuable and precious to Him. He created you uniquely to accomplish His unique plan and purpose for your life. Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) says we are each God’s own masterpiece. He created us anew in Christ Jesus so we could do the good things He specially planned for us from the beginning. I pray that you’re encouraged by that truth today!
In His great love,
Denise Renner