Every Talent Accounted For

Above the Horse Gate the priests repaired, each one opposite his own house. Nehemiah 3:28

D.L. MOODY
If this world is going to be reached, I am convinced it must be done by men and women of average talent. After all, there are comparatively few people in the world who have great talents. Here is a man with one talent; there is another with three; perhaps I may have only half a talent. But if we all go to work and trade with the gifts we have, the Lord will prosper us, and we may double or triple our talents. What we need is to be up and about our Master’s work, every man building against his own house. The more we use the means and opportunities we have, the more will our ability and our opportunities be increased.

ERWIN LUTZER
Nehemiah was a gifted organizer who motivated the whole assembly to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Each family was given the assignment of securing its part of the wall; he knew they would work hard to ensure their part of the wall was insurmountable. People of both great and ordinary talent were enlisted to rebuild the wall. 
In God’s eyes, there are no ordinary people or extraordinary people—only faithful and unfaithful people. Each is given a talent and should have a mind to work. Our money is God’s. Our talents are God’s. Our home belongs to God. So, with a sense of praise and gratitude, we should always be asking, “Lord, what will you have me to do with what you have given to me?” 
We are all managers of what God has given us. And since God is the one who gave us all we have, He has the right to take it away. He gives different gifts, different abilities, and different amounts. God created so many ordinary people with differing talents, but together we can do an extraordinary work.

PRAYER
Father, you call me to manage everything I have for your glory. Keep me from comparing my talents with another, and instead, faithfully use what you’ve given me.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS
What does it mean for you to faithfully use everything God gave you for His Glory?

Read 2 Corinthians 4:7 and 12:9. Why might God give us a little talent instead of a lot?