"To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent." Matthew 25:15
Many of us try our best to stay mentally and physically fit. Exercise should be regular and within our limits. To keep our minds sharp, we read or solve problems. The subtle message that lies behind our efforts is, "If you don't use it, you lose it."
All of us have received from God various gifts and abilities. Christian artists and musicians produce beauty that we can see and hear. But some talents are hidden. God has given each person some gift that can enhance His kingdom. Romans 12:6-8 lists serving, teaching, encouraging, contributing to the needs of others, leadership, and showing mercy.
Reflect on these gifts. You may discover one or more hidden talents that you can exercise for the benefit of others. In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul describes the greatest gift: love. We Christians received this gift while we were yet sinners, when Christ died for us. Love for others is our response to God's great love for us. With the Spirit's help, all of us can use this gift to enlarge His kingdom. Investing in these talents guarantees the highest dividends for God's kingdom and to His glory.
PRAYER: Forgive us for not using our gifts as we could, Lord. Help us to find ways to show more love; for the sake of our Savior, Jesus. Amen.
(Devotions from "The Abundant Life" copyright 1998, CPH. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be printed, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of Concordia Publishing House. Permission is granted for one-time e-mailing of this link to a friend. For information on other devotional material, please contact CPH at 800-325-3040 or visit CPH at www.cph.org.)
Today's Bible Readings: Hosea 12-14 Romans 16
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