God has given each of us different gifts to use. If we can prophesy, we should do it according to the amount of faith we have. If we can serve others, we should serve. If we can teach, we should teach. If we can encourage others, we should encourage them. If we can give, we should be generous. If we are leaders, we should do our best. If we are good to others, we should do it cheerfully. Romans 12,6-8 |
[Jesus told them] "The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. To one he gave five talents (five bags of gold), to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The servant who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. In the same way the one who had received the two talents earned two more. But the servant who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money. After a long time the master of those servants returned to settle accounts with them. The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, 'Master, you entrusted five talents to me. Look, I have earned five more talents.' 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. Let’s celebrate together!' The servant who had received the two talents also came and said, 'Master, you entrusted me with two talents. See, I have gained two more.' The master said, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!' Finally, the servant who had received the one talent came and said, 'Master, I knew that you are a hard man, reaping where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the ground. Look, here is your money back.' But his master replied to him, 'You worthless, lazy servant! If you knew that I reap where I haven't sown and gather where I haven't scattered, then you should have deposited my money with the bankers. And when I returned I would have received my money back with interest.' " Matthew 25,14-27 |