Articles
Putting Our Talents To Use
Some people have what is sometimes called 'natural talent' in some things, and can more easily accomplish some tasks than others can. Others have talents that can be developed and improved, and may even exceed the abilities of those with 'natural' talent after being trained properly. Some people have little talent, but no one is completely without the ability to do something. We should note in the parable of the talents that each man was given “according to his own ability” (Matt. 25:15), and was accountable only for that, but was held accountable for what he had either done or not done.
It is this fact [all of us have some abilities] that should keep us from ever excusing ourselves from the work the Lord has given us to do, for He will not demand of us more than we are able. Some things may be more difficult than others, and some things may be more unpleasant than others, but nothing God has given us is beyond our abilities, whether we come by it 'naturally,' have to be trained, or have to work twice as hard as others do to accomplish the task. Additionally, we must also acknowledge that not everyone has the same ability, and we all may have something we may contribute in the work of the Lord.
Paul used the analogy of the body to show the way brethren should be working together, and noted, “there are many members, yet one body” (1 Cor. 12:20), and, “those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary” (1 Cor. 12:22); in other words, there is no member that does not have some part in the local church's work. It is true that the work of some is more visible or is seen more often but, whether we always recognize it or not, those 'unseen' deeds are just as essential as the visible ones.
The challenge of every disciple is to be able to use his or her talents, to develop those talents, or to learn new talents in a way that is useful to the Lord. All disciples have the responsibility of no longer using their bodies for fleshly pursuits, but now “as instruments of righteousness to God” (Rom. 6:13); how we use them is where we may differ. Each disciple must make an honest self-evaluation to see where his or her talents may be used in the service of the Lord, “as instruments of righteousness to God,” and then put those talents to use in His service. To do this most effectively, let us consider some important points that will help us know what we may be doing in the service of our Lord, and whether or not we are doing the most and best we can do.
Know What God Expects Of You. As disciples, it is our responsibility to know the will of our Lord; we cannot be pleasing to Him if we do not even know what He wants us to do! That being the case, we must first seek to know all He would have us do, and this requires a thorough knowledge of His will, the Bible. Paul exhorts us to “not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Eph. 5:17); to do that, we must study God's word regularly, properly understand the context of the things we read and study, and then apply those things to self honestly. I must ask myself as I study, "How does this apply to me? Does this apply to me?" If I find it does apply to me, I must then properly apply it, and then carry out those things He demands of me.
There are some things, we must admit, that are not given to every disciple; for example, not all can be elders or deacons, and not all may be teachers. Do not focus on the things you cannot do, but look for what you can do, either now, or at some point in the future. One may be able to serve as an elder or deacon after time and spiritual growth; on the other hand, one may not ever be an elder or deacon, but one may be able to become a teacher after becoming more knowledgeable of God's word and developing the talent for teaching. Which brings us to the next point…
Learn and/or Develop New Talents. Some are going to be able to do some things others cannot, but make sure we do not let our inability be an excuse when all we need to do is develop our talents by training and education. Some talents may be developed to the point we become useful to the Lord in one area where we were not before developing that talent. As an example, not everyone is going to be able to teach others the plan of salvation immediately after conversion, but training and a willingness to be involved will eliminate that inability. Remember, the writer of Hebrews chastised the brethren for their inability to teach, saying, “by this time you ought to be teachers” (Heb. 5:12); they could have been teaches and should have been teachers, but had not matured enough. That inability could be overcome with training and a willingness to learn what to do to be able to teach.
Far too often, we allow our inabilities to hinder us from doing all we can do for the Lord, when all we need is some training and education — sometimes just a willingness to get involved. I may rightly say I am unable to teach when I am first converted, but I should not be still using that as an excuse after being a Christian for 40 years! I should be constantly striving to learn more that I might be able to then do more for the Lord. Ignorance is no longer a good excuse if I have refused to learn.
Here is where the church must be doing its part in helping each member develop his or her talents, too. Christ established within the local church “evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:11, 12). Elders, evangelists, and teachers should be equipping the saints to be able to do all they can do, and if they are ill-equipped, then we have failed. But if the equipment is provided, but refused, then the church is no longer the reason for the inability.
Get Involved. All the talent in the world is useless until put to use. All the training and education in the world, as helpful as it may be in the development of talent, goes to waste unless those talents are put to use. Once we have the ability, then we must be willing to get out there and put those abilities to work for the Lord, and in the way He would have us use them. Here is where we must look around and see where we are needed most, and then get involved in what needs to be done. Here is where we must not wait for an invitation or for someone else to tell us what we need to be doing, but the time to take the initiative and get to work.
Jesus once said, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Matt. 9:37, 38); He also said, “lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” (John 4:35). If we see there is work to be done, let us join in or, at the very least, pray that others will join in with us; but let us not close our eyes to the work that has to be done, nor shirk our responsibilities. Get involved!
Let us never forget that the Lord knows what we can do and cannot do, and He also knows whether or not we are willing to do the work He has given us; we cannot make excuses for not being involved when the Lord knows otherwise. God had an answer for every excuse of Moses, and He has an answer for every one of our excuses, too. Instead of making excuses, we need to work!
Let us not bury our talents, as did the one-talent man, but put them to work for the Lord and for His glory. —— Steven Harper
