In the Bible, Jesus tells many parables. Parables are stories that teach a lesson. Open the Book told us the parable ‘Big Bags of Gold’.

Jesus’ story starts with a man who went off on a long trip.  Before he left, he called his servants together and gave each of them a part of his wealth to take care of while he was gone. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to a third he gave one bag. Then he left on his journey.

While he was gone, the servant who had five bags of gold worked hard and doubled his five bags so he ended up with ten bags of gold. The man with two bags also doubled his; so he had four. But the servant with one bag dug a hole and buried his boss’s money.

When the boss returned, he asked his servants to share what they did with the gifts he gave them. The boss told the two who doubled their bags, "Well done! Because you have used what I gave you well, I will give you much more."

Then the third servant told the boss, "I was afraid, so I took what you gave me and hid it in the ground so that it would be safe."

"You lazy servant!" the boss answered. "You could have at least put the gold in the bank so that I could have earned a little interest on it." The boss took the gold from the servant and gave it to the one who already had the most. He explained, "To those who make what they have been given better will be given more. But from those who do nothing, theirs will be taken away."

Sometimes we might think God hasn't given us very much talent. We might even be tempted to hide our talent. But when we use our God-given talent to be all that God planned for us to be, He will give us even more!

This parable encourages us to be productive and to strive for growth and improvement.

Dear God, we thank You for the gifts You‘ve given each of us. We pray that we will be faithful in using these gifts to show others how wonderful You are. In Jesus’ name, Amen.