To everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. - Matthew 25:29
Sounds kind of harsh, doesn't it? It sounds harsh especially when taken out of context. This scripture is from the Parable of the Talents. Hopefully, you've heard about it, if not, here is a condensed review.
A rich man was traveling to a far country. He gave his three servants a certain amount of talents (I think this means money or goods). To one he gave five talents. To one he gave two talents. And to the third he gave one talent, each according to his own ability. The first two servants went out and invested their money some way. the one with five talents now had ten. The one with two now had four. But the third servant was fearful. He thought the market looked shaky. So he dug a hole and he hid his one talent in the ground.
When the master came back a time later he discovered first two servants had doubled their talents. He was very pleased. But with the servant who had hid his one talent, he was very upset. The master took the third servant's one talent and gave it to the one with ten.
It still sounds harsh even when going over it again.
But what if the term talents didn't just refer to money or goods. What if it referred to the gifts God had blessed each of us with. So, each time you use a talent, more will be given. Maybe that's why we see so many creative types on television delving into music, art, acting and such.
To whom much is given, much is expected.
And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own. - Luke 7:41
We all need to remember, not to judge how others deal with their talents. I always find it humorous, to watch Simon Cowell on Britain's Got Talent. He gets this funny look on his face when he pre-judges a contestant based on that person's appearance. I like to call it the "Susan Boyle Effect."
A new seventeen year old came on the show recently with a slim, young, beautiful girl. But this seventeen year old wasn't slim or beautiful. He didn't look anything like the voice that was about to come out of his mouth. But when he did sing, he blew Simon away. That overweight seventeen year old who didn't look like he could sing was AMAZING! He had one of those opera voice that take over the auditorium.
Jonathan Antoine definitely didn't hide his talent in the dirt. Even though he knew he would be judged, he had been many times before, he let his talent shine for all the world to see.
My prayer for you today is to be like Jonathan. Let your talent shine. Do what it is that you do and do it for the whole world to see. And maybe you'll see your talents doubled.
Judge not, that you be not judged. - Matthew 7:1
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