My spirit has really been dealing with me lately concerning fear. It is a hard thing to conquer and has to be fought on a regular basis.

When I come across the parable of the three servants, I am always reminded how debilitating fear can be. In the Bible, you can go to Matthew, chapter 25, verses 14-30, which reads:

The Parable of the Bags of Gold (NIV)

14 

“Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them.

15 

To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag,

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a

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each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.

16 

The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more.

17 

So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more.

18 

But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

19 

“After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.

20 

The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’

21 

“His master replied, ‘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!’

22 

“The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’

23 

“His master replied, ‘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!’

24 

“Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed.

25 

So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’

26 

“His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed?

27 

Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.

28 

“‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags.

29 

For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.

30 

And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

(The King James Version refers to the “bags of gold” as talent. So, you will see me use talent and gift in reference.)

This story took me years to understand why I shouldn’t side with the one talent servant. Before I got to verse 19, I seriously thought that his Master would be grateful, that he didn’t lose the talent. I mean I pined over this scripture. Because I really thought the first two servants were careless and plain fools. But, they were rewarded for taking a risk.

Then, I had to realize something. What if the abilities that God had given me could be multiplied. Simply meaning what he has for me to do, could touch the lives of others for his namesake. That would be unbelievable. That would be a game changer. That would be true kingdom building. And, who benefits from a hidden talent?

Here are some lessons I learned from this passage:

I also looked at The Message translation of this verse. I certainly don’t want to play it safe always. I can say that my biggest regrets in life were when I didn’t try. And, I think life is just more fun, when we take chances, especially when we know that things are God ordained.

I am trying so hard in this season of my life to overcome fear and to fall freely into what God has for me. Is it scary?oh yes. But, I am trying to stay laser focused on the possibilities.

Just remember, fear comes like a garbage truck. It’s on a consistent basis, waiting for your trash. Don’t consider your talents trash. And don’t allow fear to throw away your talent.

Stay Saved,

Shannon

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