The Bible & Talents: How to use God given talents

Introduction

Have you ever wondered what God expects you to do with your gifts and abilities? The Bible gives us a powerful answer through a well-known parable found in Matthew 25:14–30. Commonly called The Parable of the Talents, this story goes far beyond money—it’s about stewardship, faithfulness, and how we handle the resources God places in our hands.

Let’s dive into what Scripture says and how we can apply it to our lives today.

1. The Parable of the Talents: Matthew 25:14–30

“To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability…” (Matthew 25:15, NKJV)

In this parable, Jesus tells the story of a master who goes on a journey and entrusts his servants with his wealth. Each servant receives a different amount of talents (a form of currency in biblical times), based on their ability. Two servants invest and multiply what they were given, while the third hides his talent out of fear.

When the master returns, he rewards the faithful servants and calls them “good and faithful,” but he rebukes the one who did nothing with what he was given.

2. Talents Represent More Than Money

While a “talent” in biblical context referred to a large sum of money, the message goes deeper. Today, we can think of “talents” as:

• Gifts and abilities (Romans 12:6–8)
• Time and opportunities
• Resources and influence
• Spiritual gifts (1 Peter 4:10)

God has uniquely equipped each of us with something valuable—and He expects us to use it to glorify Him and serve others.

3. Key Takeaways from the Parable

a. God entrusts us with purpose.
No one was left out. Every servant received something. In the same way, you have been given something to work with, no matter how small it may seem.

b. Faithfulness matters more than amount.
The servants with five and two talents both received the same praise. It’s not about how much you have—it’s about what you do with what you have.

c. Fear is not an excuse.
The servant who buried his talent out of fear was called “wicked and lazy.” God doesn’t want us paralyzed by fear—He wants us to walk in faith and trust Him as we step out.

d. There’s reward in obedience.

“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.” (Matthew 25:21)

God delights in our obedience and multiplies the results of our faithfulness.

4. How Can We Apply This Today?

• Ask yourself: What has God placed in my hands?
• Are you using your skills, voice, time, or creativity to bless others and build His Kingdom?
• Don’t compare your gifts with others. Just be faithful with what you’ve been given.

Final Encouragement

You don’t have to wait for a perfect moment or a huge platform to start using your talents. Begin with what you have. Whether it’s encouraging someone, creating art, starting a small business, or teaching others about God’s Word—God can do great things through your obedience.

Remember: It’s not about the size of your gift. It’s about the size of your God.

Have you discovered your God-given talents? How are you using them for His glory? Share your journey in the comments—I’d love to encourage you!