God's Kingdom Grows When You Use What He's Given You

The Parable of the Bags of Gold

Jesus taught a parable to help people understand what God's kingdom is like. He told of a rich man who was going away on a trip. Before he left, he called three servants together and gave them something valuable—bags of gold.

To one servant, he gave five bags of gold. To another servant, he gave two bags. And to another, he gave one. Then he left.

The servant with five bags got right to work and earned five more. The servant with two bags also used what he'd been given and earned two more. But the servant with one bag was afraid. He thought, "What if I lose it? What if I mess everything up?" So he buried his bag in the dirt.

Fear Leads to Hiding Our Gifts

When the master came back, he wasn't upset that one servant had less than the others. He was happy with the first two servants because they used what they'd been given. But the third servant was so afraid of making a mistake that he did nothing.

This is what Jesus wanted people to understand: God has given every single one of us something. Maybe you're good at making people laugh. Maybe you're creative. Maybe you're a great friend. Maybe you love helping people. Maybe you're really encouraging. Maybe you're brave enough to stand up for what's right.

God Doesn't Ask You to Be Someone Else

God doesn't expect you to have what someone else has. He just wants you to use what he's already given to you.

God's kingdom doesn't grow when we compare ourselves to other people. And it doesn't grow when we hide what God has given us. God's kingdom grows when we use what he's given us.

Sometimes we think, "Well, what I have isn't that special." But that's exactly what the servant with one bag thought. And instead of using it, he buried it. God can do amazing things with what he's already placed in your hands.

You don't have to have the most talent, or the most money, or be the smartest person in the room. You just have to be willing to trust God and use what he's given you.

The Real Issue: Fear, Not Ability

The servant with one bag wasn't in trouble for having one bag. He was afraid—afraid of losing it, afraid of failing, afraid of messing up, afraid of not measuring up. So instead of using what he had been given, he buried it.

The master already knew what each person could handle. The servant with two bags was never meant to have five, and the servant with one bag was never supposed to have two.

Faithfulness, Not Perfection

God made you on purpose. He created your personality, your creativity, your sense of humor, and your kindness. Our talents aren't an accident. They're something that the Lord entrusts us with.

If we hide our gifts because we're scared, it's like burying a bag. God isn't asking us to be the best performers. He's asking us to be willing.

Courage doesn't mean that you're not afraid. It means that you trust God enough to take the next step anyways. Maybe the goal isn't being perfect. Maybe the goal is being faithful.