God calls each of us to live with purpose, to use the talents He has given us, and to plant our roots in Him so that His will can be done on earth as it is in heaven. He favors those who work faithfully, not out of obligation, but out of a heart that seeks to know Him and reflect His righteousness.
This is the message of the Lord’s Prayer and the Parable of the Talents—they are not separate ideas, but one truth. Jesus teaches us to pray, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10), and then He shows us what this means through the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30):
- God gives us everything we have—our time, our gifts, our opportunities—not to hoard or hide, but to use for His glory.
- Those who are faithful with what He gives them are rewarded, while those who bury their gifts out of fear or laziness face consequences.
- This is about more than just work—it is about righteousness, about where our roots are planted, and about how we live in response to God’s grace.
Righteousness: A Gift, Not an Achievement
We do not earn righteousness by our efforts. The Bible makes this clear:
“There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away.” (Romans 3:10-12)
But God, in His mercy, gives righteousness freely to those whose hearts are seeking Him:
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3:23-24)
God’s righteousness is not for those who think they are good enough—it is for those who hunger and thirst for Him. Jesus tells us, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” (Matthew 5:6)
This is the difference between those who use their talents in the parable and the one who buries his:
- The first two servants seek their master’s will—they are rooted in faith and trust, and they bear fruit.
- The third servant acts out of fear and laziness—his roots are in himself, in doubt, in excuses—and his gift withers away.
Where Are Your Roots Planted?
The health of a tree depends on where it is planted. If you plant it in dry, weak soil, it will struggle and eventually die. If you plant it by streams of water, it will thrive.
Jeremiah 17:5-8 gives us this image:
“Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come.” (Jeremiah 17:5-6)
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8)
We see this truth play out in Felix’s life in Acts 24:25. When Paul spoke to him about righteousness, self-control, and judgment, Felix felt convicted—he knew the truth!—but instead of acting on it, he hesitated. He told Paul:
“Go away for now; when I find it convenient, I will call for you.”
Felix trusted in power, money, and politics. He chose weak soil. He buried his opportunity rather than stepping into the life God was offering him.
The question is, where are your roots?
- Are they in comfort, success, or fear?
- Are they in things that fade—money, status, pleasure?
- Or are they planted deeply in Christ, where they will bear lasting fruit?
The Lord’s Prayer and the Work of Righteousness
Jesus teaches us how to plant our roots deeply in the Lord’s Prayer:
- “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.” → Identity: Your worth is in God, not the world.
- “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” → Purpose: Your life is meant to reflect God’s righteousness.
- “Give us this day our daily bread.” → Trust: True security comes from God’s provision, not wealth.
- “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” → Mercy: Root yourself in grace, not pride or resentment.
- “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” → Strength: Resist sin and remain faithful.
Each line of this prayer dovetails perfectly with the Parable of the Talents. God calls us to faithfully use what He has given us, trust in His provision, and live in obedience to His will.
How to Live in Righteousness and Use Your Talents for God
- Seek God Daily
- “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” (Matthew 5:6)
- Prayer and Scripture strengthen your roots.
- Use Your Talents for His Kingdom
- “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.” (Matthew 25:21)
- Don’t bury your gifts—use them to serve others and glorify God.
- Trust Him in Every Season
- “He is like a tree planted by streams of water… it does not fear when heat comes.” (Jeremiah 17:8)
- Life will bring difficulties, but if your roots are in Christ, you will stand firm.
- Bear the Right Fruit
- When you are rooted in Christ, your life will show the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
The Call to Act—No Hesitation Like Felix
Felix hesitated and lost his opportunity. The third servant in the parable buried his gift and lost everything.
God is calling you not to wait, not to hesitate, but to act:
- Seek righteousness—not comfort.
- Use your talents—not waste them.
- Plant your roots in Christ—not in what fades.
Jesus says, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)
This is the life He calls you to. This is the life that thrives.
I love you and pray that you will grow strong in the Lord, like a tree planted by living water (Psalm 1:3). When your roots are in Him, you will never wither, and your life will bear fruit that lasts for eternity.
With love and prayers,
Dad