TALENTS…OUR GIFTS…OUR SKILLS

By Anita Mondragon
I found this little excerpt on the internet while searching for verses regarding ‘talents’.  Take a look…

A talent is something that you are instinctively born with that gives you unique skills and abilities. Talent is set apart from knowledge in that it is not a learned behavior, although it can be strengthened and practiced. The Bible tells us that we are all born with distinct talents and gifts that set us apart from each other. When you discover the talents that God has given you and you use them to glorify Him, you will experience a full life! Our loving Lord wants us to feel whole and complete, and it is through talents that we can find our unique calling in life! -Compiled and Edited by BibleStudyTools Staff on 2/4/2015

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The meaning of “talents” in the Bible is this:

An Egyptian talent was 80 librae. The talent as a unit of value is mentioned in the New Testament in Jesus’ parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30). This parable is the origin of the use of the word “talent” to mean “gift or skill” in English and other languages.  -Wikipedia

 

We all have a talent…or talents that we need to use for the Glory of God.  Take a look at these verses regarding our talents…

6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 

7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 

8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. -Romans 12:6-8

3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills—   Exodus 31:3

10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 

11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.  -1Peter 4:10-11

In Matthew 25:14-30, God explains what He will do with those that hide their talents, or don’t use them for His glory…

The Parable of the Talents

14 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ 21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’

26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.

29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

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Your talents were not given to you to entertain the world…but rather to draw men to Jesus!  Use the talents God has placed in you to shine His light in their hearts, and bring them to Salvation!

THE MASTER OF THE HOUSE IS ABOUT TO RETURN!  WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH YOUR TALENTS?

Anita


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