Daily Encounter: A Week-day Devotional by a staff of ACTS International.

Tuesday, August 24, 2021

"I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground."¹

Oswald Chambers said, "God who made the birds never made bird cages. It's men who make bird cages and after a while they become cramped and can do nothing but chirp and stand on one leg."

In one of his parables Jesus illustrated how everybody is responsible for making good use of the talents he or she has been given. The one who had been given ten talents invested them wisely and was rewarded accordingly. The man who had only one talent and sat on it, lost it.

This principle is true in many areas of life. What we don't use we take the risk of losing. God has given each of us individual gifts and talents which we are to use for His glory and work here on earth. If we allow God to develop those gifts in us, He can and will use us to reach others and have an impact in our world. However, if we choose to "sit" on our talents, we will never reach our God given potential or, like a caged bird, never do the great things we could have done.  

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you for the talents you have entrusted to me. Help me to invest and use them wisely for your Kingdom. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Matthew 25:25 (NIV).

2. To Know God and be sure you're a real
    Christian click on:

3. Donate: To help send Daily Encounter
    without charge to people around the world
    click on:

4. To send today's Daily Encounter to a friend
    click on:

5. To share your faith in a simple, attractive
    way with a friend click on:

6. For today's featured article click on:

7. This week's chuckle as seen "On the Lighter
    Side"  on Weekend Encounter click on:

8. Change Address of your subscription to
    Daily Encounter click on: