“And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to every man according to his several ability….” – Matthew 25:15
God wants us to learn deeper lessons; He desires to lead us to greater heights, to educate us to love and obey Him. He wants to place us where we can use the talents God has given us. He is giving us opportunities to impart grace, that He may refill us with increased grace. It is by working in Christ’s lines that we become laborers together with God.
“Take my yoke upon you,” says the Great Teacher, “and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” [Matthew 11:29.] Do not fail nor be discouraged in the work. Means may be restricted, but despair of nothing. You are laborers together with God. The promise is given you, “Ask, and ye shall receive; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” [Matthew 7:7.] God’s promise is immutable. The unfailing God has encouraged us to ask, assuring us that He will establish His Word. Hope and faith will increase as the agent of God works with all the talents and facilities God has provided. He will have a divine agency to work with him.
When our entrusted capabilities are allowed to lay unimproved, God’s vineyard is deprived of the labor it should have. The human agent is to obey the command, As ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them. This is a duty broad and deep to be brought into our practical lives, and which, under God’s divine working, will be a convincing power to the world. Wake up, brethren. Go, laborers, go and work in humble ways to bring souls to the truth. The Lord will open the way before you. In the great day of reckoning, the slothful servant will be dealt with according to the work he might have done by putting his talents to use. Your own talent, improved, will gain another talent, and those two talents will gain other two. In a faithful discharge of your duty, you will acquire increased ability, tact, knowledge and experience. (1)
“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! … Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places: … for the Lord hath comforted His people…. The Lord hath made bare His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.” Isaiah 52:7-10. (2)
Charge for the Day: Pause for a moment and reflect on the talents God has given you. How can you best use them for His work? Make an actionable plan with the Lord and go forward as a co-laborer with Him.
1. Manuscript 64, 1894
2. The Desire of Ages, p. 828