God gives all of us talents, but He expects us to use those talents in our work for Him.  We are lights in the world as well as salt.  May we each use them all to His glory.

“Ye are the salt of the earth:  but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted?  It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”     Matthew 5:13

“Ye are the light of the world.  A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”    Matthew 5:14-16

“The great violinist, Nicolo Paganini, willed his exquisite violin to Genoa – the city of his birth – but only on the condition the instrument never be played again.  It was in unfortunate condition, for it is a characteristic of wood that as long as it is used and handled, it shows little decline in quality.  However, as soon as it is set aside in storage, it begins to decay.

The fabulous, mellow-toned violin became worm-eaten stored in its gorgeous case, valueless now except as a relic.  The deteriorating instrument is a reminder that gifts and talents are tools meant to be used, not treasures to be stored.  Likewise, a life withdrawn from love and service to others loses its meaning.    ~ Anonymous

“For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.  And unto one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.  Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.  And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.  But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.  After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents:  behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.  His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant:  thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things:  enter thou into the joy of thy lord.  He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents:  behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.  His lord said unto him, Well done good and faithful servant, thou has been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things:  enter thou into the joy of thy lord.  Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord. I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thous hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth:  lo, there thous hast that is thine.  His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received my own with usury.  Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.  For unto everyone that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance:  but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.  And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness:  there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”    Matthew 25:14-30

“When I stand before God at the end of my life.  I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, I used everything you gave me.”    ~ Bombeck

Eileen Light