What Do You Have in Your Hand?
Why is it so easy to compare what we have with what the people around us have? I think comparison is a distraction that can get us off course. We have to recognize that God has given each of us exactly what we need to fulfill His plan for our lives. It may not look like the person next to us, but that's why we need to stay focused on what God has given us. We have to look at what He's placed in our own hands. The scripture says, "To those who have, more will be given." That means you will tap into more gifts, talents, and opportunities as you continue to use what you have been given.
Jesus told a story about a wealthy man who entrusted some of his money, called talents in those days, to three of his employees. He was going away for a while and instructed them to invest the talents while he was gone. When he returned, he found that two of the men used their talents wisely and doubled their investments. However, the third man said, "I buried my talent because I was afraid." He didn't do anything because he didn't want to lose the money. He was so full of excuses trying to explain himself. Perhaps he thought he didn't have any good contacts, or maybe he was taking care of other issues. It didn't matter to his boss. He asked, "Couldn't you have at least put my money in a savings account so it could draw some interest?" The employer was so frustrated that he took what he had given that man and gave it to the first man who had been faithful. It's interesting that all the men had the same opportunity, but the man full of excuses didn't take advantage of it.
You know, that's the way God works. He has entrusted every person with a measure of gifts, talents, and abilities. He's watching to see what we will do with them. If you are faithful with what God has given you, He will multiply you and increase you in ways you've never dreamed. It's not about how much you have; it is about using what you have. Don't allow excuses to cause you to bury what you have been given. Just like the wealthy man wasn't moved by excuses, God is not moved by our excuses, either. Do you know what moves God? Our faith. So make the decision to wake up every day with an attitude of faith and expectancy. Look for ways to use what God has placed in your hands. Believe in yourself, and believe that God is working on your behalf. It may not happen tomorrow or next week, but stay faithful because God will multiply you in ways you've never dreamed!
Jesus told a story about a wealthy man who entrusted some of his money, called talents in those days, to three of his employees. He was going away for a while and instructed them to invest the talents while he was gone. When he returned, he found that two of the men used their talents wisely and doubled their investments. However, the third man said, "I buried my talent because I was afraid." He didn't do anything because he didn't want to lose the money. He was so full of excuses trying to explain himself. Perhaps he thought he didn't have any good contacts, or maybe he was taking care of other issues. It didn't matter to his boss. He asked, "Couldn't you have at least put my money in a savings account so it could draw some interest?" The employer was so frustrated that he took what he had given that man and gave it to the first man who had been faithful. It's interesting that all the men had the same opportunity, but the man full of excuses didn't take advantage of it.
You know, that's the way God works. He has entrusted every person with a measure of gifts, talents, and abilities. He's watching to see what we will do with them. If you are faithful with what God has given you, He will multiply you and increase you in ways you've never dreamed. It's not about how much you have; it is about using what you have. Don't allow excuses to cause you to bury what you have been given. Just like the wealthy man wasn't moved by excuses, God is not moved by our excuses, either. Do you know what moves God? Our faith. So make the decision to wake up every day with an attitude of faith and expectancy. Look for ways to use what God has placed in your hands. Believe in yourself, and believe that God is working on your behalf. It may not happen tomorrow or next week, but stay faithful because God will multiply you in ways you've never dreamed!