During our school days we were graded on our ability to retain learned lessons of academia. We trekked through the hallow halls of higher learning striving for the highest mark, and then matriculating into the workforce as adults where we are now graded on execution. For both school and work a matrix was given; school issued a syllabus while work is based on job responsibility and execution of a task. Equally, they make available some form of evaluation on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis. By not meeting the minimum requirements the end result could be failure or job termination. Some of us are the best at what we do, experts in our perspective occupations, and well knowledge in our profession: teachers, preachers, top executives, CEOs of successful companies, artist of every medium, or coaches. The question is who is learning from our knowledge? What are we doing to mentor and uplift others in our profession? Are we selfishly hording these traits for our own gratification or reaching back to share these skill sets with others? Stop and think for a moment, what if God had a report card or performance plan that He provided to us monthly quarterly or annually and we actually had an opportunity to review our appraisal. This assessment would be a pass or fail grade. It may be a surprise to many, there is a performance plan that God has provided for us yet we so often choose not to follow. God’s plan is for his children to utilize the skill sets, talents, and creativity that he so graciously gave us all to share with others.
Jesus’ parable of the talents Matt. 25: 14-30 states, “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, which called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. To one he gave five talents, another two, and another one, each according to his own ability.” In this story, talents represented money as well as attributes. The servant who was given one talent chose to do nothing with his gift since he did not receive as many as the other servants. Are you guilty of hording your talents or believe you have nothing to contribute to others? On the contrary, we all possess a skill set, trait, or personality that can be used to uplift our fellow man. Though it may appear that you have no talents, or traits of any kind, you do have the capability to be of assistance to others. By giving back to our fellow man, this becomes a way of glorifying and edifying God. Jesus told his disciples in Matt. 25: 31-45 “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters, you did for me.’
I challenge us all, as talented as we are in our professions take time to edify God as well as educate others. So when the time comes for God to bestow us with our final grade of performance here on earth we don’t want to hear we failed but the sweet words from our Father in Heaven: ‘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!
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