What are you doing with what you have?

Reference: Matt 25:14-30

In this portion of scripture we come across a story that Jesus is sharing known as “The Parable of the bags of Gold.” In reading through this we hear of a story of a man that was leaving on a trip. This man leaves three of his workers with bags of gold. One he gives five bags, one he gives two bags and one he gives just one bag. We are told in Matthew 25:15b that the amount of gold they were given was based on each of their abilities. So the man knew what each of his workers could handle and gave accordingly.

As we continue through the story we see that two of the three workers were able to invest the gold and get a 100% return with what they had been given; they each doubled the amount of gold they had been given. One of the workers gave excuses and said he was scared so he didn’t do anything and just hid the man’s gold in the ground. The man proceeded to call this worker a “wicked” and “lazy” servant because rather than step out in faith he chose to let fear dictate what he would do with what he’d been given.

"What are you doing with what God has given you?"

You’ve been given the ability to sing or play an instrument; are you using that talent for God’s glory or your own? You’ve been blessed with the ability to discern things about people; are you using this to pray for these people or talk behind their backs?  You've been entrusted with running a large portion of a ministry; are you doing this as unto God without complaining or do you constantly talk about how bad things are? We've all been given different things from God that He wants us to use for His kingdom but more often than not we tend to do things for the wrong reasons or we lose sight of God along the way.

Time to get real: Years ago I was involved a local “Christian” rock band, the goal and purpose was to reach the youth through music. We even started off praying before each practice and asking God to direct us and guide us. I was trying in my own power to use the gift that God had given me for His glory. However, because I wasn’t seeking God daily and spending time in His word I quickly became caught up in the worldly aspect of the music industry. One compromise after another found us doing ungodly music, excessive drinking/drugs and plenty of sexual immortality. This is what can happen when we try to do things for God but forget to seek God during the process. After this time in my life I look back and I can see that along the way my motives and desires became so self-centered that I had completely left God out of the music.

God has given us each talents, gifts and abilities, we didn’t give them to ourselves, so shouldn’t we do all we can to use them for His glory and His purpose? In the pursuit of using our talents for God there has to be an understanding that we must be seeking His face and be in His Word in order to avoid the pitfalls of the enemy. Jealously, envy, pride & arrogance are just a few of the areas that will try to come in when we are using our gifts for God. If we are not diligently relying on God we will give into these things, trust me, I know all too well that this can happen. 

So ask yourself and be honest, “Why am I doing what I’m doing?” If it’s for God’s glory, if you can say "YES", then great, but if you can’t honestly say that it is then get alone with God and ask Him to change your heart. Once we have this aspect lined up we just continue doing what we know is right; reading/studying God’s Word (Bible), talking to God (Prayer), and stay plugged into a body of believers (Church). These are the basics that must be followed if we plan to hear our master say to us on that day, 

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Take Care & God Bless,

-E