Use ‘Em!

Have you ever heard the phrase, “Use it, or lose it”? That is a very true statement. The Parable of the Talents from the book of Matthew (Mat. 25: 14-30) shows this well.

Before leaving on a journey, the man in charge gave three different men a different number of talents, or money. The first two guys doubled their money, but the third guy buries the money that his master gave him. The master was pleased with the ones who doubled the money, but not so with the third guy. He took the money that he buried and gave it to the one who had doubled his five talents. He didn’t use it, so he lost it.

Talents in this story referred to money. But that is not all a talent is. According to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary, the meaning is as follows: special often athletic, creative, or artistic ability; the natural endowments of a person; a person of talent or a group of persons of talent in a field or activity; any of several ancient units of weight; a unit of value equal to the value of gold or silver; a characteristic feature, aptitude, or disposition of a person.

After the Israelites left Egypt, they were needed to build a tabernacle for the LORD. This was not going to be an easy task. Certain skills were needed to build this tabernacle for the LORD to dwell. Exodus 35:35 says that the LORD “filled them with the skill to do every sort of work done by an engraver, or by a designer, or by an embroiderer in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and the fine twined linen, or be a weaver by any sort of workman or skilled designer.” Also in Exodus 31:3, “And I have filled him with the Spirt of GOD, with skill, ability, and knowledge in all kinds of craftsmanship.”

Not everyone had the same skillset. Even today, some people are good at certain things, while others are good at something else. GOD gives each person the aptitude to do what they are called to do. Sometimes it is hard to come to grips that you are not as good at something as someone else. Like, I wish I could sing as well as my husband does. But that is ok. You have your own special ability or talent. We all do.

Several years ago, I worked with a student who was visually impaired. His books were either on cassette (I know, old school!!) or through Braille. As the person who helped him in all his classes, I had to learn Braille to be able to translate his work for his teachers. It was like learning a brand-new language, and I loved it. Learning Braille came easily to me. I guess you could say I had the aptitude for it. GOD has given me the ability to catch on quickly to things like that.

I used that language every day for three and a half years. Then my student moved away, and I had no reason to continue using Braille. Because I didn’t use it, I lost the ability to read Braille. Oh, I can still read a few things, but nothing like I did when I used it on a daily basis.

Your talent, or ability, might be more valuable than you realize. Your GOD-given ability is worth far more than just giving money. GOD has given each of us a certain ability to use to glorify HIM and bring HIS presence to where we are. All we have to do is tap into it and use it. Don’t bury it. Let it shine!!

Use it, or lose it.