Many are familiar with the parable of the talents (Matt. 25:14-30). Jesus demonstrates that the use of our abilities is premium in pleasing service to the master. The one thing we must not do is nothing (Matt. 25:27,30; James 4:17)! Surely, we can glean from the passage that one talent matters.

God has blessed mankind in an abundance of ways relative to how our physical bodies operate. It is no different with the spiritual body. Both are capable of accomplishing great task for the Lord. Paul penned, “But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it has pleased Him” (1 Cor.12:18). Whatever God expects of you, He’s equipped you to do. If it is the case that I am a one talent child of God, my attitude should ever be, “King of my life I crown thee now, thine shall the glory be. Lest I forget thy thorn crown brow, lead me to Calvary”. Once I am taken to that scene, my heart should burst within me and my lips should swell with the words, “Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe”. Even that one talent!

Having just one talent is nothing to be ashamed of. It matters because God gave it! James would say, “Every good and perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17). God gives good gifts to men, and we should seek ways in which we can use our blessings and abilities to magnify Him. The psalmist said, “What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits toward me” (Psalm 116:12). Use your talents! If you have but one talent, it matters.

One talent matters because God can do great things with little. Creation teaches what marvelous things God can do with nothing. Remember what a little faith can do (Matt.17:20)? How about Gods ability to multiply fish and bread (Matt.14) or multiply your seed for sowing (2 Cor.9:10)? God took 12 men and turned the world right side up (Matt.28:18-20; Acts 17:6)!

One talent matters because it can win many souls and encourage many brethren. If it is the case that the above paragraph is true, then it is the case that God can do mighty things with just one talent. One talent put to use is worth more than many talents doing nothing. “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard”. That’s applicable here, too. One talent will accomplish the very purpose for which God gave it. Is that enough for us? Are we willing to find our niche and get busy doing God’s work? No matter how trivial or mundane a task may be… it is God that gives the increase (1 Cor.3:6).

Active Christians make an effective body. Paul said, “From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supply, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, makes increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love” (Eph.4:16). God help us to realize that one talent matters.