Thursday, August 24, 2017

Don't be afraid to use your talents and giftings!

I heard and released these words from the Lord recently:
"This is a time and season when I am unleashing your talents and giftings, even creativity, and you shall be a blessing in great many ways! Don't be afraid to use what I have given you! And more will be given to you! Receive My anointing for such in this time and season!"

The word 'unleashing' here means 'setting free from any form of leash, restraint, or limitation'. Indeed, this is your time to be set free from any form of leash, restraint, or limitation put on you by men or by the world! And as you enter this new season in your life, watch how the Lord is going to unearth and unleash the talents, giftings, and even creativity that has been hidden in you all these while!

Before we go further, let me first explain the meaning of 'talents and giftings'. These are abilities bestowed upon you by the Lord, without you taking particular effort to earn it. For example, everyone can draw, but there are people who are specially talented in drawing! And everyone can teach, but there are people who are specially gifted to teach!

In Matthew 25:14-18 (NKJV), Jesus says, "For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord's money."

The word 'talent' here is 'talanton' in Greek, where the English word 'talent' originates. But in actual fact, this word 'talanton' refers to 'a monetary unit that is worth about twenty years' worth of wages for a person's labor'. So, for the person given five talents, it's hundred years' worth of wages for a person's labor! That's a lot! It goes to show that the master was a very rich man, and this master is a 'picture' of none other than the Lord God Himself!

As you can see in this parable, everyone has at least one talent or gifting. There's no one who has no talent at all. Of course, a talent is useless unless it is used. And it doesn't matter if you have more talents or less talents than others. We are not to compare with others. What matters most is your faithfulness and stewardship in using the talent (or talents) given to you. The Lord will know how to enable you, and reward you.

In Matthew 25:19-23 (NKJV), Jesus says, "After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, 'Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.' His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things. I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' He also who had received two talents came and said, 'Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.' His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things. I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'"

But as for the third servant, in Matthew 25:24-25 (NKJV), here's what Jesus says, "Then he who had received the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.'"

The master, of course, wasn't pleased, and told the third servant he ought to have at least deposited the money with the bankers, and earn some interest. By the way, the 'bankers' here in Greek refers to the 'exchangers', i.e. those who borrow money at a lower rate of interest, and in turn, the money is loaned to others at a higher rate of interest. These 'exchangers' would commonly sit by the tables at the temple, with money ready to exchange or loan out (see Matthew 21:12). However, in the context of this parable, the money given by the master was entrusted to the servant for the purpose of industry, and not for the purpose of 'exchange'. But since this third servant was too afraid to use it for the right purpose, he ought to have at least loaned it to the 'exchangers', and his master would have at least received some interest!

Notice the words 'hard man' here, or 'skleros' in Greek, meaning 'someone who is parched (dry), lean in generosity, stingy, unwilling to spend'. That is to say this third servant saw his master as 'parched (dry), lean in generosity, stingy, and unwilling to spend'! In short, 'small in mind and heart'! Hence, he was afraid to use the talent given to him. This third servant obviously did not have the revelation of who his master actually is!

How do you see your Master today?
'Hard'? or 'Generous'?
'Small in mind and heart'? or 'Big in mind and heart?'
Do you have the revelation that He loves to give you good things (Romans 8:32), and He loves to multiply whatever He gives to you (Luke 9:13-17)? You are blessed if you do, and more will be given to you!

Don't be afraid to use your talents and giftings!
In 2 Timothy 1:6, the apostle Paul wrote, 'Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands'. And he followed it up with 2 Timothy 1:7, 'For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind'.

You see, 2 Timothy 1:7 was written in the context of 2 Timothy 1:6, which talks about 'the gift of God' which is in you!

How do you 'stir up the gift of God' which is in you? By using it! And of course, don't be afraid to use it! For God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind!

People of God, as you use the talents and giftings given to you, the Lord will see to it that He will also give you:
- Power: The enabling and anointing to accomplish it.
- Love: The assurance that He is with you, and will not fail you.
- Sound mind: The mind of Christ, a renewed mind to see the many things that He wants you to see!

My prayer is that you will grow and develop into all that He has destined for you to be (or do). Watch Him open the doors of opportunity and the floodgates of creativity for you! And you shall be a blessing in great many ways! Believe, and you will receive. In Jesus' name. Amen!