Using God's Gifts

Matthew 25:23

“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.

You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’”

Sometimes I wish I were faster. Actually, not just “sometimes” but all the time. Ever since I competed in my first race, my goal has been to run faster. God has blessed me, and my pace has improved over the years. But often I find that I’m not appreciative of what I have and focus instead on what I do not have. By conventional standards, I am not a super talented runner, and I often selfishly wish God would give me more.

Jesus told a parable about some people who received varying amounts of blessing. A man who owned a great deal asked three of his servants to manage his money while he went on a trip. Each servant received a different amount. The first two servants left at once, carefully managed the money, and quickly earned a 100% return for the master. The servant who was entrusted with the least amount buried it and earned nothing.

When the master returned, the third servant came up with an excuse for his mismanagement of the money. He accused the master of being cruel and claimed he was frightened of the master. But the master wasn’t cruel or frightening. After all, he knew enough about each servant to entrust the proper amount to each. He gave equal praise to the first two servants for the work they did, even though one was initially entrusted with a great deal more than the other. He told them both that they inspired his joy and would be now be blessed with abundantly more, all because they trusted their master.

When I reflect on this parable, I find that I am often like the third servant. I do not go “at once” and use the gifts I have been given to the glory of my Master. I often look at others who have received more and I am jealous. I take what God gives me and bury it or use it only for my good and myself. I am not honest when I mismanage my gifts; I blame others for my shortcomings.

At the end of life’s race, I want to hear Jesus say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” And indeed, He will say these words to His children, but not because we have strung together a list of accomplishments. Rather, He will invite us to share in His joy simply because we trusted in Him above all else. Whether God has given us “a lot” or “a little,” we need to delight in what we have received and put it to good use, trusting that God will multiply it for His kingdom. Let’s talk to Him about that now.

Lord God, You are abundantly faithful and trustworthy. You know us inside and out and give us great blessings. Please help us to rejoice in what You have given us. Help us to trust You to empower and strengthen us to faithfully manage what You have given us. Forgive us when we do not use our gifts to the good of Your kingdom. In Jesus’ name we pray…AMEN.