Parable of the Talents

IntriKate

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How do we know if we are using our Talents/gifts enough or correctly so that Jesus doesnt throw us out basically ? In everyday life what does this look like to be sufficient enough for god. ?

Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.

After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. "Master," he said, "you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more."

His master replied, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!"

The man with two bags of gold also came. "Master," he said, "you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more."

His master replied, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!"

Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. "Master" he said, "I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you."

His master replied, "You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.

"So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth"
 

Victor in Christ

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I don't believe it has anything to do with money/material wealth, etc. I believe its about witnessing the Gospel of Christ, that God's only beloved Son/Lamb died and shed his blood for our sins. If it was only about money, we'd think money or works can save us. Nothing of this world can save a sinfull wreck like me, only by the blood of Jesus.

Don't hide or keep the simplicity of the Gospel for yourself, share the Gospel with others. Share your testimony, share others Testimony. Romans 3:23 All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.




 
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Amittai

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Just pray that the wider church and especially christians that you mix with and christian leaders whom you know will desire to see everybody's gifts work (then they won't be quenching Him) and just live each moment well as you come to it.
 
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com7fy8

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A talent is money. It is made of what has value anywhere . . . possibly; because it is pure silver or pure gold.

So, in God's kingdom what has value anywhere?

God's grace.

"Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." (1 Peter 4:9-10)

So, I see from this, every gift ministers God's own grace. While a gift might give you some outward ability, deeply it is the Holy Spirit ministering the effect of God's own love. And you yourself are experiencing how God's love changes you, then, while you are a cup of this running over to others.

And as we mature, we become more like Jesus who is full of grace and truth > Ephesians 4:15 > Jesus growing in us (Galatians 4:19) has "all things" > all abilities of loving while pleasing our Father. So, grace has us more and more sharing with Jesus, like this :)

And our prayer with God spreads the effect of God's love > all around us, I would say, like how dissolving salt effects things all around it > Because God is all-loving. So invest in prayer, then > Philippians 4:6-7, 1 Timothy 2:1-4. God commands us to pray; so if we do the praying which God means, He is committed to making this work > 1 Corinthians 15:58.
 
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Paul4JC

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His judgement of us will be perfect. His expectation of us all differs according to many factors. He knows those who should have done more and didn't vs those who did a lot more than what was expected, and then those who did pretty much what was expected. The Lord said, "Freely you have received; freely give." Mt 10-8b/ "give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you." [Luk 6:38 ESV] so he will judge accordingly at the judgement seat of Christ. 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person's work. 14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved--even though only as one escaping through the flames. [1Co 3:13-15 NIV]
 
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SalemsConcordance

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The podcast I link below sounds cheesy as a title (and I was initially biased against listening due to too much corporate training stuffs), but they are both immensely helpful when I was struggling with just the same. Christ also counsels patience - so you (and I) don't need to figure this out immediately, but make small incremental steps in the right direction to being of service to others for God.

Part 1- G.P.S. GOD Positioning Sunday – The Critical Three First Steps To Discover And Live Your Calling

Part 2 – G.P.S. – God Positioning System – The Critical Three Questions To Answer To Discover And Live Your Stewardship Calling


Some quick notes:
1. Begin with the impact you hope to leave, use the question ‘so what’ when doing all these things / achievements. Why are you fantasizing about x, y, z.
2. Who do I serve: don’t start a business or service to make money, create a business by trying to serve people – God must be here. Same above - why do you think you 'need' certain outcomes.
3. What do I bring - Look at the inventory of the gifts you were given and be honest of what you don’t bring (not just ‘focus on your strengths’) – its important to understand and use your talents.
 
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Dorothy Mae

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How do we know if we are using our Talents/gifts enough or correctly so that Jesus doesnt throw us out basically ? In everyday life what does this look like to be sufficient enough for god. ?

Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.

After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. "Master," he said, "you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more."

His master replied, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!"

The man with two bags of gold also came. "Master," he said, "you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more."

His master replied, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!"

Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. "Master" he said, "I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you."

His master replied, "You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.

"So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth"
Don't wait until you stand before Him to ask Him if you did what He wanted with whatever it is He gave you. Ask Him to judge you today and show you where you are or are not fulfilling His desire.
 
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DiscipleHeLovesToo

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How do we know if we are using our Talents/gifts enough or correctly so that Jesus doesnt throw us out basically ? In everyday life what does this look like to be sufficient enough for god. ?


Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. "Master" he said, "I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you."

it's not about progress you can measure with your 5 senses; it's about your heart-attitude. this servant, unlike the previous two, believed that his master was 'a hard man' - this servant expected (had faith) that his Master would hold him to a standard so high he couldn't attain it - but we know from the Bible that God loves us so much that even when we were lost and most separated from Him, at our worst point as sinners that we would ever reach, He drew us to Him - now that you have received salvation by trusting in Jesus' sacrifice to pay for all your sins (real and perceived; past, present and future), He loves you as His own child - just like He loves Jesus. rest in what Jesus has done to make you righteous before God, talk with Him in your mind about everything (He want's to help you in every thing you do, no matter how trivial it may seem), ask Him what you should be doing from moment to moment each day as much as you can while expecting to receive guidance, and look for opportunities to help others receive His salvation - it is your confidence in His unmerited goodness (Grace) toward you that will bring you peace about this :)
 
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IntriKate

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it's not about progress you can measure with your 5 senses; it's about your heart-attitude. this servant, unlike the previous two, believed that his master was 'a hard man' - this servant expected (had faith) that his Master would hold him to a standard so high he couldn't attain it - but we know from the Bible that God loves us so much that even when we were lost and most separated from Him, at our worst point as sinners that we would ever reach, He drew us to Him - now that you have received salvation by trusting in Jesus' sacrifice to pay for all your sins (real and perceived; past, present and future), He loves you as His own child - just like He loves Jesus. rest in what Jesus has done to make you righteous before God, talk with Him in your mind about everything (He want's to help you in every thing you do, no matter how trivial it may seem), ask Him what you should be doing from moment to moment each day as much as you can while expecting to receive guidance, and look for opportunities to help others receive His salvation - it is your confidence in His unmerited goodness (Grace) toward you that will bring you peace about this :)

This is kind of what I needed from my question, thank you
 
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