What Is Your Life?

I recently came across a quote that stopped me in my tracks when I first read it:

“There are two types of Christians:

Those who took what God gave them and multiplied it,

and those who buried it.”

It definitely gave me pause because although simple, it's deeply confronting. I found myself taking a quiet, honest inventory of my life, something I would encourage all of us to do:

1. What am I doing with what God gave me; my time, my talents, my mind, my personality, my resources?

2. Am I multiplying them for His glory, or am I burying them out of fear, laziness, comfort, or distraction?

This quote pertains to a parable in the gospels, the Parable of the Talents found in Matthew 25:14–30. Its a story Jesus told to illustrate the Kingdom of Heaven and the responsibility each of us has with what we've been entrusted. It’s worth re-reading.

Parable of the Talents

For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.

He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money.

Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 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.’ 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.’ 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.’ 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.’

He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest.

So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ - Matthew 25:14-30 ESV

Faithfulness

The servant who was condemned wasn’t punished for producing less than the others, he was condemned because he did nothing. He played it safe, out of fear, and buried what was entrusted to him. So, God took what He intended for this man and gave it to someone else who would do something with it.

This parable underscores how deeply God values our stewardship and faithfulness - no matter how much we're given. It’s not merely about managing money or talents wisely, it speaks to our hearts in response to God. Like the master in the story, Jesus has gone away for a time. He ascended into heaven and is now seated at the right hand of the Father. In the meantime, He has given us His Spirit to empower us in bringing a harvest of souls into His Kingdom. What are we doing while He is away? While we await His return, are we about our Master's business - or our own?

Passive Christianity doesn’t advance the Kingdom of God. We’re called to a living, working faith, one that steps out, shares the Good News, takes risks, serves others, and bears much fruit. And when we do, He promises to reward that faithfulness with even greater purpose.

Each of us has been entrusted with a unique combination of responsibilities, gifts, and resources. It’s not about comparing ourselves to each other, it's about being faithful with what we’ve received. One day, Jesus will return and ask what we’ve done with all He entrusted to us. What will your answer be?

Are you taking what God gave you and multiplying it — or are you burying it?

God Bless You,

Carole