We read prior to the servant who was given one talent that the others went out and multiplied what they were given, meaning whatever skill, and gift they had they put to use and made themselves pleasing in the Lords' eyes. 

When we are given a task by our Lord Jesus Christ and we know the gift that he has given us to exercise on earth, we by all means need to take initiative to put it to good use. We are not to bury the gifts and skills we have or stay laid up in our comfort zone and not put them to good use. 

As in the parable of the talents, discipline awaits us when we’re not good stewards of the gifts God has given us. When we are idle, we let ourselves and others down, failing those who count on us by not making ourselves as useful as we should. The works of our hands, our actions on earth, and the state of our hearts will all be rewarded. We must have faith that God will guide us in making good use of our earthly gifts. Fear only shows God that we have little to no faith.

Querido Padre Celestial,

Thank You for making the law of reaping and sowing so clear. I confess in the past I have sown in the flesh while thinking I was sowing in the Spirit for Your Kingdom. Forgive me, I pray and help put my hand to the plow toward Your true callings. Thank You that You steer a moving ship. Discipline me and redirect me when I am wasting time, effort, and money in unfruitful areas. Help me to sow the right things in the right ways to bear fruit for Your Kingdom – to store up treasure in heaven, where rust and moth do not destroy, where thieves do not break in and steal. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

It may be shocking to think Jesus would call you “wicked” and “lazy” for something you did not do. The servant in today’s passage was told he should have at least put the money in the bank to earn interest. Is there something God has given you to do, but you are afraid of failure for some reason? What are the first small, deliberate steps you can take in obedience as you seek God for the way to fuller success?