“It has come to be understood that talents are given only to a certain favored class, to the exclusion of others who, of course, are not called upon to share in the toils or rewards. But it is not so represented in the parable. When the Master of the house called His servants, He gave to every man his work. The whole family of God are included in the responsibility of using their Lord’s goods.”3

God’s plan in giving talents is different. To one He gives more, to the other less, according to the ability of each. None should complain about the talents received.

“The Lord has a place for everyone in His great plan. Talents that are not needed are not bestowed.”4

Everyone receives according to his or her ability. The one who has received more, should not exalt himself or herself above the other who has received less, and the one who has received less should not envy and complain against the one who has more.

“To every man God has given ‘according to his several ability.’ The talents are not apportioned capriciously. He who has ability to use five talents receives five. He who can improve but two, receives two. He who can wisely use only one, receives one. None need lament that they have not received larger gifts; for He who has apportioned to every man is equally honored by the improvement of each trust, whether it be great or small.”5

“Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will” (1 Corinthians 12:4-11).

In His great wisdom Jesus gives the talents so that no one will lack anything, but also that one can complement or “round off” the other. The church is given “diversities of gifts,” all for the glory of God and the salvation of people. Not all have the same talents or the same gifts, but all are called to labor in His vineyard in harmony and oneness.

Only through the Holy Spirit abiding in our heart can we make a wise use of these gifts and see them multiplied in the service for Christ.

There are some gifts that only a few have, but gifts such as speech, time, influence, and health are enjoyed by nearly all.

All, without exception, possess the talent of time. Everyone has it - whether poor, young, old, educated or uneducated. The Spirit of Prophecy tells us:

“Our time belongs to God. Every moment is His, and we are under the most solemn obligation to improve it to His glory. Of no talent He has given will He require a more strict account than of our time.”6

This is one of the most precious talents that God has given to human beings. It needs to be employed in full measure for the proclamation of God’s wisdom and love as a precious treasure of His grace. Sadly, how often we use this talent improperly!

“The right culture and use of the power of speech has to do with every line of Christian work; it enters into the home life, and into all our intercourse with one another. We should accustom ourselves to speak in pleasant tones, to use pure and correct language, and words that are kind and courteous. Sweet, kind words are as dew and gentle showers to the soul. The Scripture says of Christ that grace was poured into His lips that He might ‘know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary’ (Psalm 45:2; Isaiah 50:4). And the Lord bids us, ‘Let your speech be alway with grace’ (Colossians 4:6) ‘that it may minister grace unto the hearers’ (Ephesians 4:29). . . .

“Not one word is to be spoken unadvisedly. No evil speaking, no frivolous talk, no fretful repining or impure suggestion, will escape the lips of him who is following Christ. The apostle Paul, writing by the Holy Spirit, says, ‘Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth’ (Ephesians 4:29). A corrupt communication does not mean only words that are vile. It means any expression contrary to holy principles and pure and undefiled religion. It includes impure hints and covert insinuations of evil. Unless instantly resisted, these lead to great sin.”7

Will God hold us accountable for this gift? The Lord Jesus has solemnly declared that for “every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned” (Matthew 12:36, 37).

Influence is a talent which everyone has, without exception. But it is important to notice that as with the other talents, this one can end up either as a blessing or as a curse.

“Every soul is surrounded by an atmosphere of its own - an atmosphere, it may be, charged with the life-giving power of faith, courage, and hope, and sweet with the fragrance of love. Or it may be heavy and chill with the gloom of discontent and selfishness, or poisonous with the deadly taint of cherished sin. By the atmosphere surrounding us, every person with whom we come in contact is consciously or unconsciously affected.

“This is a responsibility from which we cannot free ourselves. Our words, our acts, our dress, our deportment, even the expression of the countenance, has an influence. Upon the impression thus made there hang results for good or evil which no man can measure. Every impulse thus imparted is seed sown which will produce its harvest. It is a link in the long chain of human events, extending we know not whither. If by our example we aid others in the development of good principles, we give them power to do good. In their turn they exert the same influence upon others, and they upon still others. Thus by our unconscious influence thousands may be blessed.”8

God wants everyone to be healthy and to keep his or her body in health. Health is one of the talents that is of great importance, which we can use to serve both our God and our neighbors.

“Health is a blessing of which few appreciate the value; yet upon it the efficiency of our mental and physical powers largely depends. Our impulses and passions have their seat in the body, and it must be kept in the best condition physically and under the most spiritual influences in order that our talents may be put to the highest use. . . .

“The misuse of our physical powers shortens the period of time in which our lives can be used for the glory of God. And it unfits us to accomplish the work God has given us to do. By allowing ourselves to form wrong habits, by keeping late hours, by gratifying appetite at the expense of health, we lay the foundation for feebleness. By neglecting physical exercise, by overworking mind or body, we unbalance the nervous system. Those who thus shorten their lives and unfit themselves for service by disregarding nature’s laws, are guilty of robbery toward God. And they are robbing their fellow men also. The opportunity of blessing others, the very work for which God sent them into the world, has by their own course of action been cut short.”9

“God desires His workers to look to Him as the Giver of all they possess, to remember that all that they have and are comes from Him who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in working. The delicate touch of the physician’s hand, his power over nerve and muscle, his knowledge of the delicate organism of the body, are the wisdom of divine power, to be used in behalf of suffering humanity. The skill with which the carpenter uses the hammer, the strength with which the blacksmith makes the anvil ring, come from God. He has entrusted men with talents, and He desires them to look to Him for counsel. Thus they may use His gifts with unerring aptitude, testifying that they are workers together with God.”10

Paul confirms this truth with the following words: “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness” (Romans 12:6-8).

Peter also calls the brethren and sisters to faithfulness in God’s service. He shows in what way this service can be successful: “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 4:10, 11).

“If we desire to be acknowledged as good and faithful servants, we must do thorough, consecrated work for the Master. He will reward diligent, honest service. If men will put their trust in Him, if they will recognize His compassion and benevolence, and will walk humbly before Him, He will cooperate with them. He will increase their talents.”11

“After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them” (Matthew 25:19).

“Every talent which returns to the Master will be scrutinized. The doings and trusts of God’s servants will not be considered an unimportant matter. Every individual will be dealt with personally and will be required to give an account of the talents entrusted to him, whether he has improved or abused them. The reward bestowed will be proportionate to the improvement of the talents. The punishment awarded will be according as the talents have been abused.”12

“Never lose sight of the fact that you belong to God, that He has bought you with a price, and you must render an account to Him for all His entrusted talents.”13

Without exception, all of us will be called to give an account of our work and of the talents bestowed upon us. A special responsibility is placed on those who have been entrusted with greater abilities and gifts, “for unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more” (Luke 12:48).

Even the one who has received less cannot be indifferent to the gift received, because when we are dealing with salvation, nothing is unimportant. In the work of reforming our characters, all things are essential. Even if God has entrusted us with one talent only, He will hold us accountable for the faithful use of it.

Maybe some of the things we need to do are not always easy and pleasant, but we have no right to abandon the duty assigned to us. The reward is promised for our faithfulness. Often this increases the trials and tribulations we must face along the way. Nonetheless, the apostle declared with assurance, “I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18).

We have a commission given to us by Jesus Christ: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations. . . . I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:19, 20). Christ has promised that He will be with everyone who would like to labor for the salvation of souls for the kingdom of God. He will be always beside us to teach, help, and protect us in the difficult situations in our life. He will be always beside us to perfect the abilities of every faithful laborer, and multiply his or her talents for His glory.

“The Master will require each of His stewards to give an account of his stewardship, to show what he has gained with the talents entrusted to him. Those to whom rewards are given will impute no merit to themselves for their diligent trading; they will give all the glory to God.”14

Dear brethren and sisters, are we ready to consecrate the rest of our life in service to our God? If we are not going to do this today, tomorrow might be too late. What is to be our choice? Are we going to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant”; or will we hear the fearful condemnation, “Thou wicked and slothful servant”?

“Now the God of peace . . . make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (Hebrews 13:20, 21).