Last week, not only did I reveal that I am turning 40 soon, but more importantly discussed how I am coming to realize that I owe everything in my life to the fact that God has given me the undeserved gift of grace. Now, recognizing that we have received the gift of grace is important, but God pours out His grace on all people–believers and non-believers. So, the question is, “How do we respond to His grace?”

I think how we answer that question says a lot about the condition of our hearts. I know I don’t think about my response to this question as often as I should. Thankfully, Jesus in Matthew 25:14-30, gives us a positive and negative way of responding to God’s grace. It is the parable of the talents and I will give the abridged version. Basically, a man is leaving on a journey and gives one servant five talents, another servant two talents, and finally to a third servant one talent is given.

When the man comes back after a period of time, he finds that the first servant doubled his five talents. The master is pleased! “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 second servant also doubled his two talents. His master praises him in the same way! But, the third servant dug a hole in the ground and buried his one talent because he was afraid of losing it. He gave the master back his one talent. How does the master respond? “You wicked, lazy servant!” He then gives him a good tongue lashing and sends him outside into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Your first thought may have been my first thought when I initially heard this illustration years ago. I remember thinking, “That is harsh! I mean, the third servant didn’t cost his master any money. He gave him back what he was given.”

But, the difference between the first two servants and the third servant was that the first two took their talents and used them! They entered the arena and went to work! The master loved seeing his servants take what was given to them and using them to produce more. The third servant took his talent and hid it. He didn’t use it for any purpose. In the end, it was taken from him and given to the one who had ten.

That is a powerful lesson for me. How do I respond to the gifts God has given me? Do I bury them in the ground? Or, do I take those blessings and work to multiply them by developing them and sharing them with others?

This is why as Christians we should be some of the most positive people we are around! We know we have been blessed with grace and we should do all we can to multiply that gift to all those we come in contact with!!

So the challenge this week is to share your blessings! Respond to the gift of grace in your life by letting God multiply that gift in your life so that others will experience the grace of God!

More to come…
Jeremy