Living In The Light

July 29, The Church, Gifted To Work

“Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.”
—Matthew 25:20 LL 223.1

The lowliest as well as the mightiest have been endowed with influence that should tell on the Lord’s side, that they may devote their talent to His working in their appointed place of duty. The Lord expects everyone to do his best. When light shines into the heart, He expects our work to correspond with our light, to be in accordance with the measure of the fullness of Christ which we have received. The more we use our knowledge, and exercise our powers, the more knowledge we shall have, the more power we shall acquire to do more and better work. LL 223.2

Our talents are not our own; they are the Lord’s property, with which we are to trade. We are responsible for the use or the abuse of the Lord’s goods. God calls upon men and women to invest their entrusted talents, that when the Master cometh, He may receive His own with usury. With His own blood Christ has purchased us as His servants. Shall we serve Him? Shall we now study to show ourselves approved unto God? Shall we show by our actions that we are stewards of His grace? Every effort put forth for the Master, prompted by a pure, sincere heart, will be a fragrant offering to Him. LL 223.3

We are walking in the sight of unseen intelligences. A witness is by our side constantly to see how we trade with the Lord’s entrusted goods. When the good steward returns his talents with usury he will claim nothing. He will realize that they are the talents that God delivered unto him and will give glory to the Master. He knows that there would have been no gain without the deposit, no interest without the principal. He will say, “Lord, thou deliverest unto me five talents; behold, I have gained beside them five talents more” (Matthew 25:20). LL 223.4

Let the church now consider whether they are putting out to usury the capital the Lord has given. Without the grace of Christ, every soul would have been bankrupt for eternity; therefore we can rightfully claim nothing, yet when we are faithful stewards, the Lord rewards us as if the merit were all our own.—Letter 19b, 1892. LL 223.5

Further Reflection: : If God has gifted each member of His church with special gifts and talents to be used for His glory, how can the church help members discover their gifts and use them in ministry? LL 223.6