““For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.” (Matthew 25:14–15, ESV)

I was reading the parable of the talents. I know in the Bible times; this was talking about currency or money. But as I read it, I thought about the word talent in the modern sense. It made me think about many talented people that I know and have known.

Many people have done great things by using their talents for the Kingdom of God. They have invested wisely, and the investment paid off in eternal dividends. But sadly, some have not used their talents faithfully for the Lord. I sometimes wonder if I am as faithful as I should be. This passage got me to thinking about that. I decided to look closer to see how I could improve my investments for the Kingdom.

The first thing I noticed was that the man in charge was entrusting his servants with his possession. He was entrusting them as he saw fit. It is also evident that he knew their abilities. He went away, but they knew he would return.

Each servant was allowed to choose what he would do with the gifts left in his charge. He did not have to give an accounting day by day. After a time, the master returned and then the day of reckoning was at hand. Each gave an account for how he used his gift.

The servants who had a return on their master’s investment over the long haul were rewarded. The one who hid his gift and did nothing with it lost his gift. Not only did he lose the talent, he was reprimanded for being slothful. In other words, he was in trouble for being lazy.

So applying this to my life, I realized that anything that I have and all that I am belong to the Master. They are not my possessions. He has entrusted His gifts to me for a time period. He knew my abilities and what gifts would be most appropriate for me, and those are the talents I possess.

There was a lot of freedom in how to use the talents. The only wrong option it seemed was to do nothing. We are allowed to use our gifts in a variety of ways as long as we are ready to give an account to the Master when he comes. We must do something.

It is also implied that a return can be made, maybe not each and every day, but over the long term. The investments need to be made consistently and regularly. If an opportunity is missed, it is not the end of the world. Each day brings new opportunity and a chance to devote our talents to God. We are not micromanaged moment by moment. God wants us to be consistent over the long term. But be careful, days can easily slip away and become years of inactivity.

There is a reward for this. I will be rewarded when the Master comes. Those that continue faithfully and make a profit for Jesus will receive a bonus. What a great incentive to get busy and use my talents for the Lord. He has given me time; He has given me a gift; He has purposed a plan; And He plans to reward me.

So what can I do better today? I can continue faithfully, seeking to advance the Kingdom of my Master. I can invest the gifts that have been given to me and see over time the interest will build. I can look forward to the day that I present the profit to the Master and enjoy the rewards He bestows on me.

“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.’” (Matthew 25:23, ESV)