Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.

After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.'

His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

The man with the two talents also came. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.'

"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

"Then the man who had received the one talent came. 'Master,' he said, 'I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.'

His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.

'Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' Matthew 25:14-30 (NIV)

Imagine winning the lottery or the Publishers' Clearing House Sweepstakes and then putting the money under your mattress, thinking this is the safest thing to do. You don't want to waste it, or make a mistake spending it. Most of us would agree this kind of thinking is ridiculous. Of course we would spend the money, putting it to good use or just for our pleasure. What good does money do if it's buried under cotton batting and box springs?

In biblical times, a talent was a measure of weight used for precious metals. The spiritual gifts of "talents" God has given us are precious. Yet like a bar of gold sitting in a bank vault, it does no good unless it is used. Every believer has a spiritual gift or “talent.” Spiritual gifts are not the same as natural abilities. Some times they build on a natural talent, but spiritual gifts are those given to a person after receiving Christ. Their purpose is to build up the body of Christ. The Scripture is clear that first and foremost our local church is to receive our time, talents, and resources. God expects you to use your talents here. That is why He gave them to you.

When it comes to our spiritual gifts or “talents” many of us still have them buried in the back yard. We don’t think we’re “good enough” yet or we’re afraid of making a mistake. Yet we have to be faithful to use what He’s given us—the “few things”—before He will entrust us with greater responsibility.

Even though the servants received different talents, they both received the same reward. Many times we can look at others and see how God is using them. They seem to have so much more talent than we do. They have the “important” or visible gifts. Yet God judges us on how we use what He has given us. And when we are faithful to use it, He will give us more. So start digging up your talents and dusting them off. If you don’t even know what they are, try serving in different ministries until you find your fit. Remember, the servant didn’t get judged on how well he did but on whether or not he used his talents. Are you using yours?