* Yes! You Can!!

Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip.

Matthew 25:14-15 NLT

Have you ever blown something out of proportion or been around someone who has? It's shocking to me how quickly some small, insignificant something can be so distorted. However, I guess it shouldn't be when you stop to consider the snake behind it all spewing slander, self-righteousness and false pride to fuel the flame - in his effort to divide and conquer. 

And that same devil sure has a heyday with this Scripture. Can't you just hear him back then - in the ear of the servant who only got one bag of silver (in the KJV - one talent - which refers to a weight measurement of approximately 75lbs - not a talent as we define it today - musician, singer, preacher, etc). Can't you just imagine the thoughts going through that "one talent" servant's head? What about today?

     Oh, he got five!

     Oh, he got two!

     I only got one! What's up with that? That's not fair. He obviously doesn't think I can handle more than that. Well, I know how he thinks. I'll show him. I'll hide it someplace safe so when he comes back, I'll give every bit of it right back to him."

But the Truth is, we don't know how He thinks... Isaiah 55:8-9 tells us, For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.  

I cannot possibly tell you how many times I've read this portion of Scripture. And every time I've read it, I missed the part about dividing it in proportion to their abilities. God, in His infinite love and mercy, gives each of us what He knows we can do using what He Himself gives us. 

Yes, there are people who know how to make money. They're good at it - because it's a God-given ability, but those same people are generally not the same people who can sit with a hurting soul and pour in loving comfort. Is one more important than the other? I guess it depends on what your need is. That could be why one gets 5 and the other 2 and the other only 1. It could just be a matter of how much time is needed to extend or expend the gift(s). Does that put it back into proportion for you?

Can you take what God has gifted you with and multiply it to those made in His image (every living human being)? Yes, you can! Remember what He said...dividing it in proportion to their abilities.  Discover the Truth about the verse. 

One more time - God, in His infinite love and mercy, gives each of us what He knows we CAN do using what He Himself gives us. 

Go on! Do it! Yes! You can!!

Prayer:

Father,

        You are the Author and the Finisher of our faith and our ability and our very lives. Help us to see You in all that we've been given as a blessing or given to BE a blessing. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen