One aspect of seeking first the kingdom of God is being the best member we can be in the local church of which we are members. This means allowing God to use us to help further the cause of Christ in our various locations. One way to do this is by figuring out what our talents are and us-ing them to the best of our abilities. We all have talent, but too many in the body of Christ are not using them as they should. This is not anything new. Jesus gave a parable dealing with this be-cause He knew it would be an issue in the kingdom of God.

Matthew 25:14-15 (ESV)
¹⁴ “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.

We notice first that the master in this parable gave talents to all of his servants. He did not give them all the same amount of talents, but, rather, he gave them talents that corresponded with their ability. Such is the case in the kingdom of God. God gives all of us talent. I may not have as many talents as someone else in the kingdom, but I have at least one. The question is, what are we doing with the talents that God has given us? Are we using them in a way that is beneficial to our Master?

Matthew 25:16-18 (ESV)
¹⁶ He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also, he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.

The men with five and two talents were active. They did what they could to increase their talents for their master. Sadly, the man with one talent hid it in the ground. A talent that is hidden is not being used. When we do not use the talent that God has given us, we are effectively hiding it from the world. Jesus said that we should let our light shine before men, not put it under a basket (Matthew 5:16). When we use the talent that God has given us, not only are we letting our light shine, but our talent will probably increase as well. Is that not the lesson of the parable? The men who used their talents ended up doubling them, but the one who put his talent in the ground gained nothing.

How did the master feel about the action of his servants? In regard to the two that did something with the talents they received, the master said to both of them separately, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” With the one talented man, however, the master was angry and called him a “wicked and slothful servant,” and then ordered that he be cast into outer darkness.

In this parable, we know that God is represented by the master of the servants, but which servant represents us? Are we like the two, actively working in the local church by using our God-given talents, or, are we like the one-talented man who was slothful and ended up in the place where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth? The answer to that question can still be decided. Let us make up our minds to seek first the kingdom of God by using our talents in a way that will please our Master. Do not hide your talents; instead, use them for the glorification of God.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.