A few days ago, I got the illumination by the Holy Spirit of the Buried/hidden Talent.

Now, Jesus tells the disciples a parable found Matthew 25:14-30 …Parable of the Talents. It is also worth noting that The Wisdom of Christ displayed in the Patterning of Parables. This Parable is right between “the Parable of Ten Virgins” and “The Judgment.” He then goes ahead to describe of a Master leaving his house to journey far away. Before departing, he entrusts his possessions/measure of his wealth, ‘the care of the money’ to his three servants. Based on each servant’s ability; one servant received five talents, the second had received two, and the third received only one. Jesus proceeds to tell them that the first two servants were good stewards of their Master’s wealth. They invested such that when he returned, they handed back double ‘gained profit’ what he had originally given them. Hence, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little, I will put you in charge of many things; share in the joy of your master.’

Meanwhile the third servant who received the one talent because of fear of losing the one talent (worry and anxiety), “he dug a hole in the ground and hid it.” For this reason, the Master chastised him as wicked (sinful), lazy (slothful) and worthless (useless/ineffective). Effectively, his talent was seized and given to the one with ten talents, and he was cast out of his Master’s presence.

The significance of this Parable to Children of God/followers of Christ, is that upon the ‘Ascension of Jesus Christ’ [Luke 24:48-53]. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit “wells of the gifts of the Spirit”, He our Master (Lord, Savior and King) has entrusted His disciples with “divine gifts”; Speaking in tongues, faith prophecy, wisdom leadership, mercy, apostleship, teaching, discernment, evangelism, exhortation miracles, gifts of healing/healing, discerning of spirits, knowledge/word of knowledge, giving, Hospitality/helps,  administration, and service/serving[Isaiah 11:2, 1 Corinthians 12]. These are gifts acquired beyond the natural talents (inherent &nurtured) [Exodus 31:1-11, Corinthians 12:7-11, Romans 12:3-8, Ephesians 4:10-12]. Hence, it is written all who are WISE-HEARTED I have given the skill and ability to make everything that I have commanded.

The Holy Spirit generates (refiner &purifier) in us a wise heart (willing/open and teachable heart), a type of heart that can be entrusted with Kingdom resources, material prosperity, power and influence to fulfil Kingdom plans & purposes (agenda). Thereby, being able to build, govern and maintain the Body of Christ. For it is written in Matthew 9:37-38 “The harvest is [indeed] plentiful, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”

Note: Spiritual gifts are powered from a place of intimacy with God and so they in turn mature as the relationship becomes stronger. Consequently, in pursuit of God (the God seekers) we find Wisdom, Character and Compassion of Christ together with a Positive Attitude (faith in God) towards life. Our mindset is then transformed into a one who is “Kingdom minded” with Power to create/design, form and reprogram possibilities, liberty/freedom and inner peace (no worries and anxiety) IN-CHRIST [Philippians 4:4-7]

Now, currently like “the Church at Laodicea” we are in an era where many are “spiritually laxed” because they are stunted from their pursuit for ECONOMIC SECURITY (never ending pursuit of money, tressures and material possessions), SENSE OF SAFETY & ASSURANCE (constantly securing investments to cater to future), WORLDLY VALIDATION (always desiring and focusing on the things the world approves), MAINTAINING SOCIAL CLASS AND STATUS (doing everything possible to not loose positions in the society/career ladder, reputation, relationships/established networks).

And, because we are living in such unprecedented times, many are plagued and held captive by thoughts of wickedness and uncertainty. This has resulted in paradoxical FEAR (Anxiety and Worry) and quest for JUSTIFICATION of SELF. Thereby revealing that many EVEN among those is the Body of Christ are functioning from a place of FEAR OF THE UNKONWN, LOSING CONTROL, & REJECTION, and LACK OF COMPASSION [Matthew 24].

Why? one might wonder! Particularly those who have received the invite into the Kingdom of God [Matthew 22:4-5]. The answer rests in the SCARCITY MINDSET which is rooted in our LACK OF TRUST IN GOD. For this reason, many have fallen in the into the category of the THIRD SERVANT. Having been entrusted with resources/possessions, time, opportunities, knowledge, Wisdom & skills, and office of influence & power. YET, they have “buried their talents.” Similar to ‘the third servant’ because of “FEAR OF LOSS/LOSING EVERYTHING” in these uncertain times there is a great need within the unchanged heart of man to PRESEVE “SELF”. The fallen nature of humanity is by default programmed by SIN to pursue and commit to actions that foster Self-Preservation. It is within us, the sinful nature (FLESH) to “chase/hunger” for things to “cover/fill” their nakedness/deprivation(scarcity/shame/insecurity), eventually the demands of these pursuits drifts them away further away from God.

Genesis 3 gives a clear correlation after the Fall of Mankind, Then the eyes of the two of them were opened [that is, their awareness increased], and they knew that they were naked; and they fastened fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.  And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool [afternoon breeze] of the day, so the man and his wife hid and kept themselves hidden from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to Adam, and said to him, “Where are you?” He said, “I heard the sound of You [walking] in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.”?” Nakedness=shame and insecurity, while hidden = away from view or need to avoid not to be seen

And so, SELF-PRESERVATION is the first law of nature/mankind after the fall, which boils down to Protect and Help yourself first. In other words, put SELF first including at the cost of your OWN AUTHENTICITY and VULNERABILITY of OTHERS.

Self-preservation is good, but when it becomes the ULTIMATE GOAL like an idol, it can easily lead to SPIRITUAL COMPLACENCY “Lukewarmness” which drifts one from intimacy with God just like Adam and Eve made leaves to cover their nakedness and hid away from God.

What is does self-preservation look like in the Bible? [1 Corinthians 3:1-4, Genesis 25:27-34]

• Putting personal desires/interest/ambitions AHEAD OF GOD’S WILL (Plans, Purposes and Commands [driving Kingdom agenda]) [1 Samuel 15].
• Storing up (hoarding) material gains/possessions and treasures (money & assets) for PERSONAL SECURTY AND INSURANCE [Luke 12:13-2, Matthew 6:19-20; 24].
• Protecting your comfort, influence, fame and status AT ALL COST [Matthew 19:16-26]
• Not willing to be part of God’s agenda on the earth [Jeremiah 1:5 the mission], because of fear of the UNKNOWN and insecurities birthed from the UNPREDICTABILITY of faith walk [Proverbs 3:5-8, Matthew 22:1-14; 9:35-38, 2 Corinthians 5:7]
• Seekers for the APPLAUSE AND ACCOLADES OF MEN rather than APPROVAL God [Hebrews 10:4–10, Hosea 6:6, Jeremiah 7:21–23, Galatians 1:10]

The first temptation of Jesus encounters in the wilderness as led by the Spirit of God after forty days and forty nights of praying and fasting without food and He became hungry. Matthew 4:3-4 states that

And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But Jesus replied, “It is written and forever remains written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out of the mouth of God.’”

Satan is “giving” Jesus the opportunity to “save Himself” … PRESERVE YOUR LIFE by turning the stones to bread…He can eat and “live”. Here, the Holy Spirit is demonstrating to us the deep depravity that is embedded in the human nature after the Fall… the appetites of flesh (works of flesh/worldly lust) have always been the weakest point of mankind [Genesis 25:27-34].

Nonetheless, Jesus overcomes the Tempter. Through His answer HE shows that He has MASTERED His cravings and physical desires for ‘temporary food’ trading it with absolute submission and total dependence on God [Psalm 37:3-11]. A sign of persistent & unyielding faith and trust in God’s care and providence. Therefore, Children of God must continuously depend on every Word that comes out of the mouth of God. And in order to successfully live this kind of life Apostle Paul urges us in Romans 6 to “DIE TO SELF” … We know that our old self [our human nature without the Holy Spirit] was nailed to the cross with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin. For the person who has died [with Christ] has been freed from [the power of] sin.

Jesus gives His disciples the true understanding (cost) of what it means to “die to self”. Which is denying of self, setting aside/sacrificing one’s selfish interests, and egotistical desires of Self, then wholeheartedly FOLLOWING HIM (seeking the Kingdom of God) [Matthew 16:24-26, Luke 9:23-27].

He also gives them a technique to overcome an anxious, and worry filled life in Luke 12:22-34 (Matthew 6). The antidote is rooting our SUFFICIENCY IN CHRIST by delighting in God the Father and prioritizing His Will for us after which God Himself will take care you [Philippians 4:10-13].

This is summed well in Psalm 37:3-11

Trust [rely on and have confidence] in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and feed [securely] on His faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, And He will give you the desires and petitions of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; Trust in Him also and He will do it. He will make your righteousness [your pursuit of right standing with God] like the light, And your judgment like [the shining of] the noonday [sun]. He will make your righteousness [your pursuit of right standing with God] like the light, And your judgment like [the shining of] the noonday [sun]. Be still before the Lord; wait patiently for Him and entrust yourself to Him; Do not fret (whine, agonize) because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes. Cease from anger and abandon wrath; Do not fret; it leads only to evil. For those who do evil will be cut off, But those who wait for the Lord, they will inherit the land. For yet a little while and the wicked one will be gone [forever]; Though you look carefully where he used to be, he will not be [found]. But the humble will [at last] inherit the land And will delight themselves in abundant prosperity and peace.

The Unexpected day of Judgment is fast-approaching, not long from now the trumpet will sound to announce our awaited Bridegroom and King of the World [Matthew 25:34-46]. I pray that you will be found READY according to Matthew 24:42-51 … a faithful and wise servant who out of Obedience COURAGEOUSLY stepped out in Faith to fulfil God’s plans and purpose. May the gift of your salvation IN-Christ be counted as profit in the Book of life, worthy to inherit the Kingdom of God.

Something worth to reflect on ...

Does your desire and deep need to Preserve Self hindering the complete emergence of God’s Will upon your life?

Is your life a display of the fullness of God’s Will and Glory?

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