If You Don't Use It...

There are three things about God's gifts I'd like us to see, but before we do that let's take a moment to read the scriptures.

Matthew 25:14-30 NKJV
14 “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. 15 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. 16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

20 “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.’ 21 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.’ 22 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.’ 23 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.’

24 “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. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look,there you have what is yours.’

26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.

29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

In the passage above we find three distinct things about God's gifts.

1. They have been given to You: V14-15
The man gave talents to his servants, and when they accepted them the servants became entrusted with them. He gave to each what he deemed fit. NOT EVERYONE WILL GET THE SAME GIFTS.

Some are blessed with the gift of music, others teaching, or money, speaking, encouragement, etc. No gift is "better" or "worse" than any other. None are more or less useful. Just because I get one gift and you get a different gift doesn't mean God loves me any more of any less than He loves you.

The first gift offered to you from God is Salvation. If you accept it, it becomes entrusted to you.

**You aren't entitled to any of these gifts, especially salvation.

2. Don’t Hide Them, Multiply Them: v16-27
The man gave these talents out to be used. If he wanted them untouched wouldn't have given out.
God wants His gifts to be used for Him and His glory. It’s a waste if we refuse to use them.
In this text, the test wasn't how much they earned, but rather how hard they tried.

Servant 1 & 2: True Believer
Used the talents their lord gave to them for him Uses the gifts God gives
Offered more than what was given to them Wins more souls for Christ
Considered faithful servants and trustworthy Lives a fruitful life
Entered the joy of their lord Spends eternity in Heaven

Servant 3: Unbeliever
Didn’t use the talents but hid them Never uses God’s gifts
Had nothing extra to offer Doesn’t witnesses
Insulted his lord, made excuses Blasphemy towards God
Considered wicked and lazy Bears no fruit
Cast out from the presence of the lord Spends eternity in Hell

I know you are probably asking yourself "But what if I am unable to work for God?"

My answer is in verse 27.

The "lord" in our text mentions at least giving the money to the bank to draw interest.

For us this translates to giving to others who can multiply God's gifts.

Perhaps you aren't called to go over seas...but you can give to those who are in support.

Give your money, prayers, encouragements to missionaries, churches, and other Christ-centered organizations.

3. If You Don’t Use it… v28-30
Those who desire to be used for God’s glory are given the means to do so. The more they do, the more they are enabled to do for Him. Conversely, we lose what we don’t use, meaning God will take away that ability. We as believers can lose gifts and blessings from God.

**Understand that this scripture is in no way supporting the idea of works save you
Good works will never save you, but a saved heart will produce fruit.

The third servant didn't lose his salvation for not producing fruit. He was never saved, because he lacked faith from the start.

Look at Matthew 7:17-20
The difference here is that a saved heart will produce fruit over the whole life. Yes we will still make mistakes and we will have fruitless days. But during those times God uses many things to get our attention. 

If we are backslidden God can remove some blessings or gifts to get our attention refocused on Him. These loses don’t have to be permanent, we can get right with God & be restored. A lost heart will never bear fruit for Christ. This is the one who God will remove from those who don’t even have (v29b) They are the ones cast out (v30).

Thank you!

Bro. Austin

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