{"id":31174,"date":"2025-05-19T11:38:27","date_gmt":"2025-05-19T15:38:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/?p=31174"},"modified":"2025-05-26T05:43:56","modified_gmt":"2025-05-26T09:43:56","slug":"talents-profitably","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/devotionals\/talents-profitably\/","title":{"rendered":"Are You Using Your Talents Profitably?","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL BY PATRICE TSAGUE<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are you using what the Lord has given you?
Have you invested your talents \u2013 or are you hiding them?
How can we apply the Parable of the Talents to our business<\/a> profitably?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the kingdom of heaven is\u00a0like a man traveling to a far country,\u00a0who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.\u201d\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 Matthew 25<\/a>:14 (NKJV)<\/strong><\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Are You Using Your Talents Profitably?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Matthew 25:14-30 <\/strong>(The Parable of the Talents), our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ compares the Kingdom of heaven with a man who gave his servants the responsibility to steward his goods while he traveled to a faraway land. In the parable, the master represents Jesus, and the servants represent us. The goods represent the time, talent, and treasure God has given to each of us to use for His glory, according to the ability, the power, and strength that have been granted to us by Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the story progresses, the one with the five talents traded his talents and gained five more. The servant with the two talents traded his talents, and he also doubled the value of his master\u2019s goods by gaining two more. However, the servant with the one talent buried that talent under the ground.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Upon his return, the master inquired about what the servants had done with the talents he had given them. The first servant reported, \u201c\u2018Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them\u2019\u201d<\/em> (Matthew 25:20)<\/strong>. The second servant told him \u201c\u2018<\/em>Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them\u2019\u201d <\/em>(Matthew 25:22)<\/strong>. The master told these two servants, \u201c\u2018Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into<\/em> <\/em>the joy of your lord\u2019\u201d <\/em>(Matthew 25:23)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the third servant said, \u201c\u2018Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed.<\/em> <\/em><\/strong>And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours\u2019\u201d<\/em> (Matthew 25:24-25)<\/strong>.

The master responded very differently to the third servant:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut his lord answered and said to him, \u2018You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.<\/em> <\/em><\/strong>So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away\u2019\u201d <\/em>(Matthew 25:26-29)<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The master then ordered the unprofitable servant to be \u201ccast into outer darkness\u201d <\/em>(Matthew 25:30)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just like the three servants in the story, your master, the Lord Jesus Christ, has given you talents. These talents are in the form of time, talent, and treasures, and he expects you to use them for His glory, according to your God-given abilities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have you identified your talents?
Have you been using them profitably and for the glory of God?\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similar to the story of the talents, the Lord Jesus Christ will ask you what you have done with the time, talent, and treasures that He has given you.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will you tell Him?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My prayer for you today is that you will invest what the Lord has given you with wisdom and diligence according to your God-given abilities so that fruitfulness will result, and so that when you meet Him face to face, He can say, <\/strong>\u201cWell done, good and faithful servant.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL BY PATRICE TSAGUE How are you using what the Lord has given you?Have you invested your talents \u2013 or are you hiding 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<\\\/p>\\n

\\u201cYou shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.\\u201d - Genesis 41:40 (NKJV)<\\\/strong><\\\/em><\\\/em><\\\/p>\\n

<\\\/p>\\n

<\\\/p>\\n

Can we forgive ourselves and each other for what has happened? Are we willing to let go of the past and give each other the benefit of the doubt?<\\\/p>\\n

<\\\/p>\\n

<\\\/p>\\n

Forgiveness is the gift that we all love to receive but many of us struggle to give. Unfortunately, without it we can not become truly great nor can we realize our destiny. Forgiveness is what holds great people from becoming truly free. Joseph rose to greatness after his betrayal and struggle but there was one more thing he had to realize: his destiny.<\\\/p>\\n

<\\\/p>\\n

<\\\/p>\\n

He had to forgive those who threw him in the pit and sold him into slavery, which then eventually led him to go to prison. Often as we rise to greatness our past revisits us and we are forced to reconcile with it. Some run from it and never become what God destined them to be. Others confront and embrace it and are able to experience the freedom that God has preordained for them to receive. You will never achieve true freedom unless you are able to forgive those who caused you harm. True freedom is letting go of the past, true freedom is saying I forgive you, true freedom is recognizing that what the devil meant for evil God used it for good.<\\\/p>\\n

<\\\/p>\\n

<\\\/p>\\n

\\u201cFor I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.\\u201d -\\u00a0Jeremiah 29:11<\\\/strong><\\\/p>\\n

<\\\/p>\\n

<\\\/p>\\n

Greatness is a result of persevering through life\\u2019s difficulties, intense trials, and challenges. Just as precious jewels are produced through years of intense fire and pressure and eventually command great value and admiration by men, we too have the same outcome when we allow the betrayal and trials of life to shape us into who God wants us to become.<\\\/p>\\n

<\\\/p>\\n

<\\\/p>\\n

\\u201cAnd Joseph said to his brothers, \\u201cPlease come near to me.\\u201d So they came near. Then he said: \\u201cI am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.\\u201d - Genesis 45:4-5<\\\/strong><\\\/p>\\n

<\\\/p>\\n

<\\\/p>\\n

Forgiveness is recognizing the sovereignty of God in every situation. When you forgive, you release the pain you have had a tight grip on and free your emotions from being focused on the wrongs that were done to you. You can now embrace the people that the enemy used to bring you harm with the unconditional love of Christ. It is said that unforgiveness is like taking a poison pill and hoping it kills the other person, it only brings you harm.<\\\/p>\\n

<\\\/p>\\n

<\\\/p>\\n

How do you forgive? Here are five simple steps that will guide you to forgive and get you closer to enjoying your freedom in Christ:<\\\/strong><\\\/strong><\\\/strong><\\\/p>\\n

<\\\/p>\\n

<\\\/p>\\n<figure class="wp-block-1. Accept God\\u2019s forgiveness of you <\\\/strong>- It is hard to forgive others if you do not forgive yourself by accepting that God has forgiven you.
2. Draw close to those who hurt you<\\\/strong> - You cannot forgive without a willingness to be intimate with those who hurt you.
3. Confront the situation <\\\/strong>- true forgiveness starts with truth, accept the reality of what happened.
4. Release the person or persons<\\\/strong> - Write a note or verbally communicate to the person that you have forgiven them. You do not have to say it to them physically but you must address it to them even if you do not send them the message.
5. Recognize God\\u2019s sovereignty <\\\/strong>- Look for the good in the situation, no matter how bad it is you must be able to see how God has worked it or will work it for your good.<\\\/td>\\n<\\\/tr>\\n<\\\/tbody>\\n<\\\/table>\\n<\\\/figure>\\n

<\\\/p>\\n

<\\\/p>\\n

 <\\\/p>\\n

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WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL BY PATRICE TSAGUE<\/em><\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL BY PATRICE TSAGUE<\/em>"}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"

How are you using what the Lord has given you?
Have you invested your talents - or are you hiding them?
How can we apply the Parable of the Talents to our business<\/a> profitably?<\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"How are you using what the Lord has given you?
Have you invested your talents - or are you hiding them?
How can we apply the Parable of the Talents to our business<\/a> profitably?"}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/table","render":"

\u201cFor the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.\u201d <\/em>- Matthew 25<\/a>:14 (NKJV)<\/strong><\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>","content":"
\u201cFor the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.\u201d <\/em>- Matthew 25<\/a>:14 (NKJV)<\/strong><\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>","data":{"rows":[{"style":{"background-color":"","text-color":"","is_head":false},"columns":[{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"\u201cFor the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.\u201d <\/em>- Matthew 25<\/a>:14 (NKJV)<\/strong><\/strong>","content":[{"type":"a","data":"\u201cFor the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.\u201d <\/em>- Matthew 25<\/a>:14 (NKJV)<\/strong><\/strong>","src":"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Matthew%2025&version=NKJV","style":[]}],"data":{"html":"\u201cFor the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.\u201d <\/em>- Matthew 25<\/a>:14 (NKJV)<\/strong><\/strong>"},"style":{"align":"center"}}]}]},"style":{"textColor":"","layout":"regular","parent_style":{},"hasFixedLayout":false}},{"type":"core\/heading","render":"

Are You Using Your Talents Profitably?<\/h2>","content":"Are You Using Your Talents Profitably?","data":[],"style":{"align":"left","parent_style":{},"textAlign":"center","header":"h2","fontSize":"27px","color":"#fcb900","elements":{"link":{"textColor":"#fcb900"}}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"

In Matthew 25:14-30 <\/strong>(The Parable of the Talents), our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ compares the Kingdom of heaven with a man who gave his servants the responsibility to steward his goods while he traveled to a faraway land. In the parable, the master represents Jesus, and the servants represent us. The goods represent the time, talent, and treasure God has given to each of us to use for His glory, according to the ability, the power, and strength that have been granted to us by Him.<\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"In Matthew 25:14-30 <\/strong>(The Parable of the Talents), our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ compares the Kingdom of heaven with a man who gave his servants the responsibility to steward his goods while he traveled to a faraway land. In the parable, the master represents Jesus, and the servants represent us. The goods represent the time, talent, and treasure God has given to each of us to use for His glory, according to the ability, the power, and strength that have been granted to us by Him."}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"

As the story progresses, the one with the five talents traded his talents and gained five more. The servant with the two talents traded his talents, and he also doubled the value of his master's goods by gaining two more. However, the servant with the one talent buried that talent under the ground. <\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"As the story progresses, the one with the five talents traded his talents and gained five more. The servant with the two talents traded his talents, and he also doubled the value of his master's goods by gaining two more. However, the servant with the one talent buried that talent under the ground. "}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"

Upon his return, the master inquired about what the servants had done with the talents he had given them. The first servant reported, \u201c\u2018Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them\u2019\u201d<\/em> (Matthew 25:20)<\/strong>. The second servant told him \u201c\u2018<\/em>Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them\u2019\u201d <\/em>(Matthew 25:22)<\/strong>. The master told these two servants, \u201c\u2018Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into<\/em> <\/em>the joy of your lord\u2019\u201d <\/em>(Matthew 25:23)<\/strong>.<\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"Upon his return, the master inquired about what the servants had done with the talents he had given them. The first servant reported, \u201c\u2018Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them\u2019\u201d<\/em> (Matthew 25:20)<\/strong>. The second servant told him \u201c\u2018<\/em>Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them\u2019\u201d <\/em>(Matthew 25:22)<\/strong>. The master told these two servants, \u201c\u2018Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into<\/em> <\/em>the joy of your lord\u2019\u201d <\/em>(Matthew 25:23)<\/strong>."}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"

But the third servant said, \u201c\u2018Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed.<\/em> <\/em><\/strong>And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours\u2019\u201d<\/em> (Matthew 25:24-25)<\/strong>.

The master responded very differently to the third servant: <\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"But the third servant said, \u201c\u2018Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed.<\/em> <\/em><\/strong>And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours\u2019\u201d<\/em> (Matthew 25:24-25)<\/strong>.

The master responded very differently to the third servant: "}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"

\u201cBut his lord answered and said to him, \u2018You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.<\/em> <\/em><\/strong>So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away\u2019\u201d <\/em>(Matthew 25:26-29)<\/strong>. <\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"\u201cBut his lord answered and said to him, \u2018You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.<\/em> <\/em><\/strong>So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away\u2019\u201d <\/em>(Matthew 25:26-29)<\/strong>. "}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"

The master then ordered the unprofitable servant to be \u201ccast into outer darkness\u201d <\/em>(Matthew 25:30)<\/strong>.<\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"The master then ordered the unprofitable servant to be \u201ccast into outer darkness\u201d <\/em>(Matthew 25:30)<\/strong>."}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"

Just like the three servants in the story, your master, the Lord Jesus Christ, has given you talents. These talents are in the form of time, talent, and treasures, and he expects you to use them for His glory, according to your God-given abilities. <\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"Just like the three servants in the story, your master, the Lord Jesus Christ, has given you talents. These talents are in the form of time, talent, and treasures, and he expects you to use them for His glory, according to your God-given abilities. "}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"

Have you identified your talents?
Have you been using them profitably and for the glory of God? <\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"Have you identified your talents?
Have you been using them profitably and for the glory of God? "}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"

Similar to the story of the talents, the Lord Jesus Christ will ask you what you have done with the time, talent, and treasures that He has given you. <\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"Similar to the story of the talents, the Lord Jesus Christ will ask you what you have done with the time, talent, and treasures that He has given you. "}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"

What will you tell Him?<\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"What will you tell Him?"}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"

My prayer for you today is that you will invest what the Lord has given you with wisdom and diligence according to your God-given abilities so that fruitfulness will result, and so that when you meet Him face to face, He can say, <\/strong>\u201cWell done, good and faithful servant.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"My prayer for you today is that you will invest what the Lord has given you with wisdom and diligence according to your God-given abilities so that fruitfulness will result, and so that when you meet Him face to face, He can say, <\/strong>\u201cWell done, good and faithful servant.\u201d<\/em><\/strong>"}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}}],"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"link","format":"url"}],"bb_access":{"can_access":true,"restrict_message":null},"app_access":{"can_access":true,"restrict_message":null},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31174","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31174"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31174\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/61455"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31174"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31174"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31174"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}