Table of Contents
The talent of mental faculties
The Lord desires us to acquire true education and not only for ourselves but with the aim of imparting the acquired knowledge to others. No one can know where or when he would need to work or witness for God. Our heavenly Father knows what good he can accomplish through his servants. Things are possible that our weak faith does not recognize.
We must so educate ourselves that if there is a need we are capable of showing the truth from the Word of God before the highest earthly authorities in such a way as to glorify his name. We should not neglect any opportunity to prepare for the work of God.
Young people who need training must strive determinedly to gain it. Do not wait for chances but in every case strive to learn something. Exercise economy, do not spend your money for the gratification of appetite or pleasures.
Decide to be as helpful and diligent in your work as God would like you to be. Be punctual and faithful in every endeavor you make. Make use of any circumstances for the development of your mental powers. Study of the Bible with faithful effort, watchfulness, and prayer acquire the wisdom that is from above. Combine this study with physical labor and this will give you a multilateral development. In this way, you will be able to grow in character and gain influence that will help you lead others in the way of righteousness.
Every student should take the Holy Scriptures and commune with the everlasting Teacher. Our ability to think must be developed and enabled to rightly divide the Word of God to anyone who would ask about the reasons for our faith.
The talent of speech
The gift of speech is a talent that we are to use carefully. None of the talents that we have received from God can be made a greater blessing than this. With our voice, we can convince others, with it we can also tell others of the Savior’s love. How important it is, therefore, to develop it so that we can give glory to him.
Every Christian is called to acquaint others with the inestimable Christian treasures. For this reason, he must strive to perfect his speech. He must teach the Word of God in every way which would be pleasing to his hearers. God does not want his human instruments to be harsh and rude.
Every minister and every teacher must consider that they are giving the people a message that is of eternal interest. Known truth will judge them in the great Day of final reckoning. Therefore, let them so preach the Word that it would appeal to the intellect and impress the heart. They must speak slowly, clearly, and solemnly, yet with all the earnestness that the everlasting nature of the message requires.
We must create a habit of talking in a nice tone, using clear and concise language, and pronouncing words that are kind and full of love. Gentle, kind words are like dew and like a mild rain on the heart (Job 37:6). Of Christ, the Scriptures say that his lips were gracious, that he knew “how to speak a word in season to him that is weary”. Isaiah 50:4. See also Ps. 45:2.
The Lord commands us: “Let your speech be alway with grace”, “that it may minister grace unto the hearers”. Col. 4:6. Eph. 4:29.
When we correct or counsel, we should not use harsh speech and words that are not purposed to heal the broken heart. Reckless, miscalculated expressions excite opposition and frequently lead the straying ones to disaffection. All those who would like to preach the fundamentals of truth need to receive the heavenly oil of love. In all cases, words of correction need to be spoken in love. Then our words will result in a change for good and a return to righteousness.
Not a word is to be spoken rashly. No calumny, no seducing speech, no insult, no tedious murmuring, and no unclean insinuation are to come out of the lips of one who follows Christ.
To every family, upon each individual Christian is assigned the duty to bar the way against immorality and worldly lusts. If in our work we are placed in a society of such who give themselves to reckless speaking, it is our duty if possible to change the subject of conversation to things that are approved of Heaven.
It would not be hard for us to communicate something that we have experienced in our Christian lives.
Elevated thoughts, noble aspirations, clear representations of truth, heart longing, and search for integrity and sanctification will bring fruit in words that reveal the nature of the treasure that we have in our hearts.
If Christ is revealed in our words in this way, they will have the power to win souls for him. When Christ opened his lips to speak, the attention of the multitudes was turned to him, and every word was for their hearts a breath from life to life. So it must be with us. This is the highest, most noble work in which we can use the talent of the tongue that has been given to us.
The talent of influence
Each person is surrounded with influence – an influence with can contain the living power of faith, courage and hope and be filled with the sweet fragrance of love. Or it can be heavy and painful as a result of the darkness of disaffection and selfishness, or poisoned through a deadly touch with cherished sin. Through the influence that surrounds us, a person whom we come in contact with is being affected – either consciously or unconsciously.
This is a responsibility that we cannot escape – our words, our deeds, our dress, our attitude, and even our facial expressions have an influence. The influence that is thus made has eternal consequences – for good or for evil which no man can measure. It goes beyond our circle and acts without our knowledge upon others, for blessing or curse. The silent witness of a faithful, unselfish, virtuous life has a convincing influence.
But we must not forget that the talent of influence can be – to no small degree – a power for encouraging sin. It is terrible when a person causes his own life to be lost but it is more terrible, however, if he causes the loss of other people. Many who profess to be united in Christ, are actually dispersing and driving people away from him. When people give an expression to doubt, envy, and disaffection, they allow themselves to be used by Satan as his instrumentalities. Before they know it, the enemy has achieved his purpose through them.
The bad impression has been made, the shadow has been cast, and the darts of Satan have struck their aim. Distrust, doubt, and even harsh unbelief take control over people who could otherwise accept Christ.
They do not realize that there are poor souls who have made a shipwreck in their characters and they have fallen prey to their unbridled tongues and excited hearts. But let them know that their influence is the reason for other people to stumble and fall.
With all our talents, we are to be witnesses to God
Many people are afraid to meet God on his judgment seat because of their influence.
“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matt. 5:13-16.