…but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.

 

Key scripture 

Matthew 25:14-30

 

The Parable of the Bags of Gold

25:14-30Ref — Lk 19:12-27

 

“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.’

 

Quotes and scriptures on gifts and talents.

 

"Your talent is God's gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God." ~ Leo Buscaglia

 

"Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best." ~ Henry Van Dyke

 

"Genius is the gold in the mine, talent is the miner who works and brings it out." ~ Marguerite Gardiner, Countess of Blessington

 

"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me'." ~ Erma Bombeck

 

"The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without work." ~ Emile Zola

 

James 1:17

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

 

Proverbs 22:29

Do you see a man who excels in his work?

He will stand before kings;

He will not stand before unknown men.

 

Exodus 35:10

All who are gifted artisans among you shall come and make all that the LORD has commanded:

 

 

LESSONS & PRAYER POINTS.

 

1. Diligence with gifts, talents and abilities given by God. 

• That we will immediately trade with the talent to gain more. 

• We will not be weary in doing good . 

 

Mathew 25:16

He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he gained five talents more.

 

• The diligent hands will rule / leaders Proverbs 12:24.

• The diligent hands bring wealth Proverbs 10:4

• They will stand before kings.     Proverbs 22:29

 

2. Faithful and Trustworthy with talents, gifts and abilities given by God. 

 

Matthew 25:23

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.’

 

1 Peter 4:10-11

As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 

 

Colossians 3:23-24

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

 

3. Increase, blessings and multiplication comes from God.  

 

Matthew 25:23

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.’

 

Be in a position for increase, blessing and multiplication. 

 

Hebrews 6:13-14

For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.”

 

Psalms 71:21

You shall increase my greatness,

And comfort me on every side.

 

  Deuteronomy 28:1

“Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. 

 

Genesis 1:28

Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

 

Psalms 92:10

But my horn You have exalted like a wild ox; I have been anointed with fresh oil.

 

4. Pray for those who have belittled or despised their talents and have left it dormant. 

 

Matthew 25:25

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

 

• Those who feel fearful, to be bold and courageous. Pray for renewed mindsets.

 

Joshua 1:9

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

 

Judges 6:12

And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him, and said to him, “The LORD is with you, you mighty man of valor!”