There are many people who are very talented in specific areas, however if we approach them to use their talents for a Christian activity – they just refuse.
Jesus told the parable about a man going on a journey who entrusted his property to his servants – ‘He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip. “The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more.
The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more. But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money’ (Mt.25:15-18 NLT). The parable of the talent uttered by Jesus is written in a context to raise a self-realization to an individual. Every one is unique in some way or the other.
Here are certain tips as to how any individual can actualize those into reality:
1. Discover We mighty have studied in history that Vasco da Gama discovered the sea route to India or about other scientific & technological inventions. Discovering some thing is not an easy venture but involves hard work. Each one of us possesses inherent talent and ‘spiritual gifts according to the grace given us’ (Romans 12:4-6). We must prayerfully seek out our talents. In the parable two of the three servants were able to discover their talents.
2. Develop Once a very talented organist of a church said he practices several hours a day as though he is a novice. Needless to say practice makes us perfect. Thus the best way to develop your God given talent is to work at it. In the parable of the talents, two of the servants developed the talent the master had entrusted them with and doubled the results.
3. Dedication When we discover and develop our talents to a certain extent, a certain measure of perfection takes place. However, in the Biblical writings we read how individuals when they dedicated their talents to God, God used them mightily. If we do not dedicate the God given talents for God’s glory then we are like the servant in the parable who hid the money he had received. ‘To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who are unfaithful, even what little they have will be taken away’ (Matthew 25:30, NLT). We must discover our talents, with persistence develop it to the extent leading to perfection and dedicate it for the glory of God.
Author: Mr. Joshua Das is a graduate of UTC, Bangalore and heads an NGO ‘Human Development Foundation’ working for the empowerment of gold miner’s family at KGF.
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