It was just a few words; okay maybe a sentence. It wasn’t what was said but the power behind the words. It shook the rubble from the island of Doolittle. The initial tremor led to more aftershocks that knocked off the debris covering the treasure chest. A dynamic young lady’s words brought a familiar verse to mind.
Matthew 25:18: But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. Where have you buried the gift that God gave you? Some people claim they do not know what their gifts are.
What do you enjoy doing?
What can you do effortlessly?
What do you do and lose all track of time?
What do you do for the sheer fun of it?
Some people love to cook and love trying out recipes. Others do so only because they have to eat. Some people are pro at inspiring and motivating people. If you have not identified your gifts, you may have subconsciously buried it.
Matthew 25:25-26 “The servant given one thousand said, ‘Master, I know you have high standards and hate careless ways, that you demand the best and make no allowances for error. I was afraid I might disappoint you, so I found a good hiding place and secured your money. Here it is, safe and sound down to the last cent.’ (The Message) Clearly the servant was making an excuse as to why he did not utilise what was placed in his hands. The servant claimed he was afraid and was scared to do it wrong. That was a fancy way of saying he was walking in fear instead of faith. Fear is not cute it is sin. In just the same way you would not dance around the fire of fornication, or adultery. It is not acceptable to take fear into your bosom and think you would not get burnt.
God is not looking for perfection He is looking for someone willing, available and teachable. So confront your fears and past failures. Stop making a monument out of the wrong things and move forward. Don’t say you are too old – it’s not too late. Colonel Saunders was 62 when he franchised his chicken business and Kentucky Fried Chicken was born. So there is hope. Make the most of the rest of your life.
We could see that even though the servant gave a fine argument, his master was not buying into it.
Matthew 26-27”The master was furious. ‘That’s a terrible way to live! It’s criminal to live cautiously like that! If you knew I was after the best, why did you do less than the least? The least you could have done would have been to invest the sum with the bankers, where at least I would have gotten a little interest. (The Message) So if you have been the selfish, faithless and lazy servant. God is giving you another chance. So how are you going to take the treasure out of the treasure chest and use your talents wisely and multiply it for the kingdom? Shovel out the chest – burying your gift contradicts Christian principles. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5: 16). Your good works are going to manifest through your gifts. Burying it does not profit anyone. It is to be used for the benefit of others. What would the body of Christ look like if everyone canned their gift and sat on the can? It is like when God gave Jonah instructions to go to Nineveh and preach to the people. In his arrogance he did not think Nineveh deserved the opportunity to repent so he ran in the opposite direction. Outright disobedience! He ended up endangering the lives of all those around him because he initially refused to take the treasures out of the chest and use them.
Have the courage to unlock the chest – Joseph had a gift. At a young age he spoke too much, he got on his brothers’ nerves and was thrown in a pit. He was sold as a foreign slave, then got accused of attempted rape and ended in jail. Joseph still exercised his gift but this time he did it to edify others. He did not have to interpret anyone’s dream in prison. He could have locked up his treasures and played it safe.
He could have convinced himself his treasures were best locked up because they get him into trouble. Yet it was that same gift that catapulted him from jail into the palace. Polish the treasures - No one puts steering wheels on couches. You may need to make some investments in your gifts. Your treasures are given in seed form and you need to refine it and make it profitable so that it grows. You may have to take singing lessons or business classes. Daniel had to be trained in the language and literature of the Chaldeans before he could be used as the king’s official. Polishing involves vigorous rubbing. It takes effort. Likewise training is not always pleasant.
However the alternative is being in the shoes of the unprofitable servant in Matthew 25:30, whose master ordered that he be thrown into outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Resources:
Do it afraid! Obeying God in the face of fear – Joyce Meyer
How to reach your full potential for God – Dr Charles Stanley.
Genstacia Bull