God has made each person unique in many special ways.  He has given each of us a unique personality as well as talents and abilities that are unique from others. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 says “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.” God has given all unique abilities and talents so that they can be used for God’s service. The question is are we using our Talents for God?

The parable of the talents mentioned in Matthew 25:14-30 is perhaps the best illustration in the bible of how God expects us to use what is given to us in this world. The parable as told by Jesus goes like this. A master before going on a journey gives each of his slaves talents(gold coins) according to their ability. When the master came back the slaves all told him what they did with the talents they received. The slave that received five talents had doubled it and now had ten talents and the master was happy and put him in charge of many more things. The slave that received two talents had doubled it and now had four talents and the master was happy and put him in charge of more things. The slave that received only one talent told the master that he hid the talent in the ground and gave it back to the master. The master was angry and takes away this slave’s talent and gives it to the one who has ten talents. The parable ends by saying this “For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have more than enough. But from the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”

This story hits home as Jesus himself clearly tells us what God expects from us with the talents and abilities he has given us. If we do not use it for the glory of God then it is of no use and it can even be taken away from us and given to someone else instead. 1 Peter 4:10-11 says “Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God. If anyone speaks, it should be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, it should be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To Him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.”

If you start using the talents and abilities that God has given you for his kingdom then not only will you see amazing things happening in your ministry but also in your life. Using what God has given you for his glory is the best way to thank God for creating you and making you in his own image. The question is are you using what God has given you?