WHEN we hear the phrase, “Use your time, talent and treasures wisely,” the bible story that comes to my mind is the parable of the talents. “To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money...”

And we know how the parable ended.

To the one who put his money to work, Jesus said, “Well done good and faithful servant, you have been faithful in a few things, I will put you in charge of many.”

Time. Each of us are given the same number of minutes and hours each day. How do we make use of our time? The key word is “productivity.” What are we able to achieve with the hours given to us? What do we do each day?

There are lessons on time management and we are all taught to make good use of our time.

There are a lot of things to be done each day, and for many of us, what we “lack” is time. Thus, a helpful word is “Prioritize”. Prioritize what is Urgent and Important. Other tasks or activities follow.

To a busy man, when he shares you his time, he is sharing a most precious asset. Money and assets he can replace, but never his “time.”

Talent. In the bible story, a “talent” in those times, was worth a lot. It was 36 kilos of silver. But “talent” can also mean the gifts God has given us. No two people on earth have been given similar gifts. We may have more of one trait or spiritual gift and less of another. The bible lists 9 spiritual gifts: wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, prophecy, miraculous power, discernment of spirits, gift of tongues, and the interpretation of the gift of tongues. (1 Cor. 12:9)

“Are you asked to speak, then speak as though God were speaking thru you. Are you asked to help others, then help others, so that God may be glorified.”

Treasures. We often equate treasures with material possessions. In school we are taught that assets would include cash, investment in securities, inventory, property, equipment, etc. We sometimes forget that our intangible assets, such as character, a good name, values, heritage, and acts of mercy and charity, are of true value and more long lasting.

The ultimate question is, “How do we share our treasures?” Many philanthropists have shown us the way. In our own small way, how do we follow?

My Dearest Michael, family and friends,

I keep reminding myself of this story.

There was this rich taipan who passed away. Everyone was curious to find out how much he left. So someone asked his accountant, “How much did he leave?” And the accountant answered with just one word, “Everything!”

Yes. Have we shared our time, our talents, and our treasures?

Have we used them wisely?

Do we keep reminding ourselves and take to heart, head, and hands, “Everything comes from God alone, everything lives by His power, and everything is for His glory.”? (Romans 11:36)