“‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”

Luke 19:26 (ESV)

God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good.

After six days of creation, God looked at all His work and was pleased. He created man in His own image, formed him from the dust of the ground, breathed into him the breath of life, and commanded him to work and keep the garden He had made.

The irony is that God gave authority to man over everything, yet He still commanded him to work. Throughout Scripture, we never find an idle man whom God used or blessed.

When God called Abraham and promised to bless and multiply him, Abraham still worked diligently. His increase was the fruit of faith combined with effort. Everything God places into our hands must be put to work.

Even Jesus, the Son of God, demonstrated that idleness is not what God expects of us. He worked faithfully in His Father’s business. When choosing His disciples, He didn’t call idle men—He called fishermen, tax collectors, and laborers—men already engaged in their work.

In the parable of the minas, Jesus teaches that every gift placed in our hands must bear fruit. Before traveling to a far country, a nobleman entrusted his servants with money, commanding them to “Engage in business until I return.” When he came back, one servant had gained ten minas more, another five, but one returned only what was given, making excuses for his inaction. The nobleman was angry and ordered that the mina be taken from him and given to the one who had ten. He rebuked the idle servant for not even depositing it in the bank to earn interest.

God expects the same of us. Too often, we fail to recognize the gifts He has placed in our hands. Those who are busy using what God has given rarely have time to criticize others. It is usually the idle who find fault with those who are fruitful.

The person who invests their time and effort in their family, business, ministry, or calling focuses on growth, excellence, and stewardship. While some complain, the diligent keep working—and God rewards them with more.

God sees the heart and knows the intent behind every action. When your ways please Him, and when you are faithful with the little you have, He will multiply it.

Your gifts and talents will be recognized.

Your ministry will grow and flourish.

Your business will thrive.

For our God is a God of increase. He multiplies what He places in our hands when we acknowledge and use it. But if we do nothing with the gifts He’s entrusted to us, Scripture warns that even what we have will be taken away.

Stop making excuses. Focus on what is given to you, put it to work, and glorify God through it.

If you are breathing and in your right mind, God is waiting for you to act and respond to the gifts and talents He has placed within you.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gifts and talents You’ve placed in my hands. Help me to be faithful in using them for Your glory. Teach me diligence, discipline, and humility as I labor in Your purpose. May all that I do bear fruit that honors You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.