Living In The Light

May 12, The Lord’s Entrusted Talent

“And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability.”
—Matthew 25:15 LL 142.1

The followers of Christ are not to despise wealth; they are to look upon wealth as the Lord’s entrusted talent. By a wise use of His gifts, they may be eternally benefited, but we are to bear the fact in mind that God has not given us riches to use just as we shall fancy, to indulge impulse, to bestow or withhold as we shall please. We are not to use riches in a selfish way, devoting them simply to our own enjoyment. This course would not be doing right toward God or toward our fellow human beings and would bring at last only perplexity and trouble. LL 142.2

We are probationers, placed upon trial. God has furnished us with opportunities by which we may copy the highest pattern of character. Christ is to be our pattern. He was rich in heavenly treasure; but although He was rich, for our sake He became poor, that we through His poverty might be made rich. LL 142.3

The Lord has made human agents His stewards, and the whole universe of heaven is interested to see what use people make of that which has been given them. God has entrusted His blessing to men and women for the purpose of helping those who are in actual necessity. No one is to feel that his fellow human beings are of less value in the sight of God because they are poor. Those who are hungry, naked, and suffering, are committed by God Himself to the mercy, the love, and the tender care of those whom He has made His stewards. LL 142.4

People misapply their blessings when they use their riches in an extravagant outlay for selfish indulgence, for the gratification of themselves, for lifting up their hearts in pride and vanity. They misapply their blessings when they hoard up their riches and leave their fellow human beings destitute of even the necessities of life. The world favors the rich and looks upon them as of greater value than the honest poor person; but the rich are developing their characters after the manner in which they use their entrusted gifts. They are making manifest whether or not it will be safe to trust them with eternal riches.— Review and Herald, March 31, 1896. LL 142.5

Further Reflection: What is your attitude toward those who have been blessed with more wealth and means than God has granted you? LL 142.6