Don’t Bury Your Talent—Use It Before It’s Taken | Morning Prayer

Before we pray, let's first take a moment to listen to God's word and then we'll pray together. Have you ever looked at someone else and quietly said to yourself, "I wish I was as gifted as them. Maybe it was a singer whose voice moved people to tears, a speaker who carried wisdom with every word, or someone who seems to naturally lead, inspire, or create.

And maybe deep down you thought, "If only I had that kind of talent, then maybe God could really use me. Maybe then I'd be worth something in the kingdom. " If you've ever had a thought like that, I want you to pause and hear this clearly.

God didn't make a mistake when he made you. Let me share a story that Jesus told in Matthew 25 14-29 and it's often called the parable of the talents. Jesus said the kingdom of heaven is like a man wealthy and wise who was preparing to go on a long journey.

Before he left, he entrusted his riches to three of his servants, each according to their ability. To the first servant, he gave five talents. to the second two talents and to the third one talent and then he left.

Now, we don't use the word talent today the same way Jesus did back then. In his day, a talent was a weight of money, a large sum of silver or gold. But what's interesting is how deeply this parable still speaks into the way we see our own talents, our gifts, our calling, our potential.

The servant with five talents wasted no time. He got to work. He invested what he was given and he doubled it.

The one with two talents did the same. But the third servant, the one with only one talent, felt something that many of us have felt, fear. He didn't see the value of what he'd been given.

He didn't feel trusted. He felt overlooked. So instead of using the gift, he buried it.

When the master returned, he called each servant forward to give an account. The first two came with joy in what they had done with the trust they were given and their master smiled. He said the same beautiful words to both of them.

Well done, good and faithful servant. You were faithful with a little. I will put you in charge of much more.

Come and share in your master's joy. It didn't matter that one had five and the other had two. What mattered was their faithfulness.

But the third servant, he came with excuses. He let fear rule his heart. Master, I knew you were a hard man.

I was afraid. So I buried what you gave me. Here it is, untouched, unspent, unused.

And the master was heartbroken. Not because the servant failed to produce 10 talents, but because he failed to even try. Because he let fear steal what faith could have multiplied.

The master said, "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 10 talents. And then Jesus ended the parable with a sobering truth.

To the one who has, more will be given, but to the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away. That might sound harsh, but here's what Jesus was saying. God doesn't reward comparison.

He rewards faithfulness. He isn't measuring your gifts against someone else's. He's asking, "What are you doing with what I've given you, friend?

" God has placed something inside of you. A gift, a purpose, a calling, a spark of divine creativity and compassion that this world needs. It may not look like someone else's.

It may not be on a stage. It may not get applause, but it is sacred and it is seen by heaven. Please don't waste time wishing for someone else's gift.

God crafted you on purpose. You weren't given less. You were given what was right for your assignment.

We live in a world that celebrates visibility, platforms, followers, influence. But heaven celebrates obedience, faithfulness, surrender. Some of the most powerful people in God's kingdom are the ones the world never notices.

If your gift is kindness, offer it freely. If your strength is encouragement, speak life boldly. If you love to serve behindthe-scenes ways, know that God sees and he smiles.

If you're generous, give without hesitation. If you write, write to glorify God. If you're raising children, raise them in truth and love.

If you clean, organize, build, pray, counsel, lead, sing, or love people well, do it all for Jesus. Comparison will rob you. It will drain your joy and distort your vision.

It will make you forget that you were never meant to run someone else's race. You were created to walk in the path God has prepared for you, and only you. Don't bury your gift.

Don't hold it back out of fear, insecurity, or the lie that says it's not enough. Because when you place what you have in God's hands, he multiplies it. He blesses it.

He uses it in ways you may never fully see on this side of eternity. Remember what the master said, "Well done, good and faithful servant. " That's not a reward for perfection.

It's a reward for faithfulness. So today, take what you've been given, whatever it is, and offer it back to God. Not to prove your worth, but to reflect his glory.

You are not forgotten. You are chosen. You are not inadequate.

You are equipped. You are not small in God's eyes. You are part of his beautiful eternal plan.

Let God use you fully, freely, and joyfully just the way he made you. Now, let's take a moment to pray together. Dear Lord Jesus, thank you.

Thank you for being such a good and loving master. You don't treat me like the world does, comparing, measuring, labeling. You don't ask me to be someone else or do what someone else is doing.

You see me individually. You know my name, my story, my struggles, my strengths. And somehow in your great wisdom, you've entrusted me with something precious, a gift that fits perfectly with how you designed me.

It humbles me, Lord, that you would look at someone like me and say, "I have something special for you to do. You don't overlook me. You don't forget me.

Even when I feel small, you see me. Even when I feel unqualified or invisible, you've called me. And so I pray right now for my own heart.

Especially for those moments when I feel unsure about my worth or my purpose. When I feel too quiet to be useful. When I feel too broken to be called.

When I wonder if I even have anything to offer at all. Jesus, would you lean in close to me right now? Would you open my eyes to see the treasure you've placed within me?

Would you whisper truth into the places where lies have settled? Let me know I matter. That my gift matters.

That my life carries weight in your kingdom. Because you didn't give me these gifts to bury them in fear. You didn't place these seeds of purpose in me so I could hide them in the ground and hope no one notices.

You gave them so I could shine. So I could serve. so I could lift up your name in whatever way you've designed for me, big or small, seen or unseen.

Help me, Lord, not to delay. Don't let me fall into the trap of someday. Don't let me wait for the perfect moment that never seems to come.

Instead, give me the courage to start right here, right now. Give me holy boldness to say yes even if I feel scared even if I feel underqualified because it's not about my ability it's about my availability. Your word says in Colossians 3:es 23-2, "Whatever you do, work heartily as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward.

You are serving the Lord Christ. " Remind me, Jesus, that this isn't about applause. It's not about gaining followers or praise or likes.

It's about you. I don't work for the approval of people. I serve you and that is enough.

Whether I'm standing on a stage or sitting beside a hurting friend, whether I'm writing, cleaning, teaching, building, comforting, listening, or leading. Help me to do it all with love, with humility, and with joy. Not to be seen, but because I've already been seen by you.

Not to prove something, but because you've already said I'm enough. Help me not to bury what you've entrusted to me. Help me to steward it with care and offer it back to you daily.

Just like it says in Proverbsap 16:3, "Commit your work to the Lord and your plans will be established. " Lord, I don't want to chase success. I want to chase obedience.

I want to commit every part of my life to you, my gifts, my time, my energy, my efforts, because I know you will establish what matters most. So here I am. I offer you everything.

Take my hands and shape them into tools of compassion. Take my voice and fill it with encouragement. Take my ideas, my creativity, my time, my strength, and use them to bring healing and hope to others.

Use my life, Lord, for your glory. And right now I lift up the question in my own heart. The one that keeps asking, "What is my gift, Lord?

What have you placed inside of me? What am I here for? Holy Spirit, speak to me.

Show me that I was not created by accident. You formed me on purpose, for a purpose. Reveal to me the beautiful, unique way you want to work through my life.

Remind me of what you said in 1 Corinthians chapter 12 that to each one of us the spirit gives a gift something that is not just for our benefit but for the good of others. Some are given wisdom others deep knowledge. Some are gifted with faith that moves mountains.

Some bring healing. Some offer discernment or prophecy. Others speak truth or encouragement or understanding, but all of it, every single gift is from you.

And none of them are insignificant. So Jesus, help me walk humbly in my calling. Help me to resist comparison.

When I see someone else thriving in their gift, let me celebrate. When I'm tempted to feel small, remind me that your kingdom doesn't measure like the world does. The hand can't say to the foot, "I don't need you.

I matter. I'm part of something holy and eternal. Help me not to hide, but to shine.

Help me not to be paralyzed by fear, but to trust that you will lead me one step at a time. And as I walk this path, may every word, every action, every offering of my heart bring glory to your name. You are worthy, Jesus.

You are the one I live for. You are good and there is no good thing without you. I praise you for who you are.

I love you for how you love me and I thank you for choosing me. In the mighty and precious name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

If this prayer has touched your heart, please type amen as a sign of faith. I pray that every blessing in this prayer is now upon you in the name of Jesus. And if you need a special prayer, feel free to let us know in the comments.

We would be honored to pray for you. May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you always.