Talents and Gifts – 5 Reasons why you should use them for God

Talents and gifts differ per individual, but the end goal should be the same which is to use them to God’s glory. Here are 5 reasons why we should use our talents and gifts for God.

These reasons are by no means exhaustive and I hope that you will share other reasons in the comments. But the basic reason why you should use your talents and gifts for God is that God endowed you with that talent.

What are some examples of talents and gifts?

A talent is a gift or special ability to do something, an endowment unique to you.

It is something that makes you stand out from the crowd; different people have different talents based on God’s distribution.

Examples of talents and gifts

Arts

Some people are talented in the arts and they often develop beautiful and intricate designs that leave you gaping.

For some, their talent is in music and when they sing, it is soul stirring.

Mathematics

While some others are mathematically talented and are gifted with numbers. I once watched a show in which a 5 years old boy performed calculations of huge numbers off his head.

Sports

For some, they have athletic abilities and they are good at different kinds of sports; swimming, playing soccer, running, skating, playing basketball etc.

Spiritual Gifts

Your talent could be something as seemingly simple as motivating and encouraging others through your words, actions and lifestyle. Or it could be in your desire and willingness to readily lend others a helping hand. It may even be a spiritual gift;

For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 (ESV)

We can go on and on, and we may not be able to exhaustively list the various talents that God has given humans. In a previous post titled believe in yourself, I wrote about legless Isaiah Bird who is a talented wrestler. The boy could compete with his able-bodied counterparts and win because God gave him the talent.

God has given everyone a talent and there is no one without a talent, though the degree of “talentedness” may vary.

You may not be as popular as Michael Jordan or Cece Winans or T.D Jakes or Serena Williams but you have a talent all the same.

What does the bible say about talents and gifts?

1. Talents and gifts are given by God

We understand from the bible that talents and gifts are given to us by God.

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. Matthew 25:15 (NKJV)

2. The measure of talents and gifts are unique per person

The same God endowed both Bezalel and Aholiab with special talent to design artistic works. But it was in different measures.

Then the Lord said to Moses, ² “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, ³ and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills ⁴ to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, ⁵ to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. ⁶ Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, to help him… Exodus 31:1-6 (NIV)

Bezalel was called to lead and Oholiab was called to help.

3. God expects us to profit with our talents and gifts

There is hardly any human being who doesn’t want to profit when they invest.

In the same way, our God is a master investor and He expects us to profit with our talents and gifts.

2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. John 15:2 (NIV)

Moreover, the ability to gainfully utilise our talents and gifts for God is an indicator of spiritual growth.

Related Post: indicators of spiritual growth

4. God gave everyone talents and gifts

⁷ But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. ⁸ This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.” Ephesians 4:7-8 (NIV)

For example, when I look at my life, my first impulse is to say I don’t have talents or gifts due to my perfectionist tendencies. But in retrospect, I have several talents one of which is my teaching ability. And this has been attested to by colleagues, peers and bosses alike. That means I can make an impact if I pay attention to my talents and gifts.

Whatever your gift/talent is, it is unique to you. It may not look like much to you, but rest assured it is not meaningless but useful. #talents #gifts Click To Tweet

5 reasons why you should use your talents and gifts for God

1. God is the giver of any talent and gift you possess

We have already established that God is the one that gives talents and gifts to men and women alike.

This is the first reason why you should use your talents and gifts for God. And it is quite logical too.

3 Bible verses on talents and gifts

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17 (ESV)

Based on the scripture above, we know that every good gift/talent we have was given by God. Not one, but every good gift was given by God. In fact, there is nothing we have that we didn’t receive.

John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. John 3:27 (ESV)

It is therefore important for us to be humble and not high minded regarding any talent we have received. We must always be mindful that, God is the giver of all gifts, more so, He’s the giver of life. And in him we live, move and have our being.

for ‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “‘For we are indeed his offspring.’ Acts 17:28 (ESV)

So we must glorify God with our gifts/ talents by using them for Him.

2. You will give account of your talents and gifts

The second reason why you should use your talents and gifts for God is because you will give account. You are a steward of His grace and you will be required to give account of your stewardship.

That talent you have, was given to you by God to manage and profit with. God is an investor, a wise one at that, and he doesn’t give talents for the fun of it. If he has given you a talent, be sure that he expects a return on that investment in your life. The return or profit may be spiritual, physical, financial or material but there must be a return.

This is evidenced throughout the bible; each time Jesus fed the multitude, he instructed that the fragments be gathered. Jhn 6:12

The parable of the talents

Another clear example of this is in the parable of the talents.

¹⁴ “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. ¹⁵ To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. ¹⁶ He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. ¹⁷ So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. ¹⁸ But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. ¹⁹ Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. ²⁰ And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ ²¹ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ ²² And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more. Matthew 25:14-30

Reading the above passage, it is apparent that God is not a wasteful investor. Everyone will give account in the last day of how they used their talents and gifts.

The last day here is the judgement day, for it is appointed to man to die once and after this, judgement. Hebrews 9:27

3. The world needs you and your talents

This is the third reason why you should use your talents and gifts for God.

The body of Christ and the world at large needs you. We are all members of one body in Christ and we need each other.

Just like in the physical every part of our body functions together, so also our talents are meant to be complimentary. The talent God has bestowed on each of us is meant to benefit us collectively.

You can't allow your talents and gifts to lie dormant because you will be doing others a disservice. Someone needs what you've got. #teacupclub #talents #gifts Click To Tweet

Solomon’s wisdom helped resolve the knotty issue of child maternity question between two prostitutes 1Ki 3:16-28.

Not only that, people came from far and near to hear him speak and learn from him. The Queen of Sheba visited King Solomon just to learn at his feet because of the special talent God gave him 1Ki 10:1-5.

Similarly, Bezaleel’s talent for craftmanship helped build God’s tabernacle to specification.

If Bezaleel had refused to use his talent for God, the tabernacle might not have been built or not built to God’s specification. This might have led to Moses’ continuous need to go to the top of the mountain to hear God. Because the purpose of the tabernacle was for God to be able to dwell among the people. Thus, eliminating the need for constant mountain trips for Moses.

And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst. Exodus 25:8 (KJV)

Bottom line is that the world needs you with your gifts and talents and you are the answer to someone’s prayer or problem.

4. Using your talents and gifts is rewarding

The fourth reason why you should use your gifts and talents for God is because God is a rewarder of good works.

It’s like sending a child on errand, when the child comes back, having delivered, we bless that child.

You will be rewarded both on earth and in heaven for using your talent for God. Some of the rewards include personal fulfillment, wealth acquisition, earthly recognition and eternal crowns. Rest assured God will reward you for using your gifts and talents for Him.

Related Post: The Rewards of the Christian Race

Behold, the Lord has proclaimed to the end of the earth:
Say to the daughter of Zion, “Behold, your salvation comes; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.” Isaiah 62:11 (ESV)

Recall the story of Joseph the dreamer? Dreaming and interpreting dreams was his talent. If you go through his story, you will discover that his talent paved the way for him to become Egypt’s prime minister. Genesis 41: 15 – 42

He faithfully continued to interpret dreams even in the prison and in due time, God elevated him.

This is God’s promise to everyone, He is coming soon with His reward to repay everyone for what they have done. If you use your talent rightly, you will get a due reward.

“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. ¹³ I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” Revelation 22:12-13 (ESV)

Remember the parable of the talent in Matt 25:14-30? Those who traded with their talents were promoted and more was committed into their hands. On the other hand, the person who refused to use his talent, the little he had was withdrawn from him.

And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 1 Peter 5:4 (ESV)

An eternal crown of glory awaits all those who choose to use their talent for God.

Just be faithful in using the talent that God has committed into your hands and very soon, your profiting will appear unto all.

Related Post: Crown of Glory and Royal Diadem

5. Use your talents and gifts in order to avoid being replaced by God

The fifth reason why you should use your gifts and talents for God is to avoid being replaced by God.

Nobody is irreplaceable before God. If he has endowed you with a talent or special ability, it’s best to utilize it to His glory. The possibility of being replaced by God is scary and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. I don’t want to be replaced, what about you?

Replacement is like rejection, it means the person has fallen out of favour with God. That was what happened to King Saul when God rejected him as king and chose a replacement in the person of David.

The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.” 1 Samuel 16:1 (ESV)

And shortly after Saul’s replacement, an evil spirit from God began to trouble him.

 Now the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and a harmful spirit from the Lord tormented him. 1 Samuel 16:14 (ESV)

The consequence of Saul’s replacement was that he went from grace to grass and from favor to disfavor before God. And he became a target of evil spirit.

Similarly, Jesus told the Pharisees that if the people refuse to praise him, stones will praise him in their stead.

He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” Luke 19:40 (ESV)

And that’s why we must be careful to make sure that we use our talents to glorify God.

Conclusion

Gifts and talents differ from one another, some may be in great measure, some may be little but they are talents all the same.

And God expects us to use them irrespective of how insignificant they may seem.

Because no talent or gift is  insignificant to Him that deposited it into us.

Your talent doesn’t have to be so extraordinary, you may not be popular like the great men and women of God out there.

But God still reckons with what He gave you and you will give account of it.

What other reasons can you suggest as to why we should use our talents for God? Feel free to leave a comment in the comments section below.

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And always remember that you are The King’s Diadem, beautiful in God’s hands.