God's Gifts

In my New Testament class, we discussed the parable of the talents. This master gives his servants different amounts of talents. Many people assume that Christ is talking of the skills many of us have. However, a talent is simply a sum of money and thus the symbolism can be looked at with a much broader view. A talent can be any gift that our Heavenly Father has given us. this parable is perfect to think of during this thanksgiving season. Some of the gifts my Heavenly Father is a loving family that also loves God. This also reminded me of the verse in the Doctrine of Covenants that tells us of the gifts of the Spirit our Heavenly Father has given us. Doctrine Covenants 46:11-12 says "For all have not every gift given unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God. To some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby." I thought of the people I've met through out my life they have told me stories that have happened through the gifts of the Spirit. Many of the gifts that were made present during each miracle were ones I never experienced. At times I struggled believing since I had never had such an experience myself. However, as I grown I've seen miracles myself that manifested to me that Heavenly Father has given me gifts of the Spirit. These experiences with this scripture has helped me gain a stronger testimony in those miracles I have not experienced myself. In the parable of the talents the lord tells both the 5 talent servant and 2 talent servant the same reply. In verse 21 and 23 of Matthew , the lord says "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 the Lord." This shows that our God does not trust those he has given any more responsibility to anymore. He does not have a bigger celestial vision for them. He only expects each of us to do our best with what he has trusted us with. I think of everything I've been taught since I was a child and realize how accountable I am to all of that. I also understand that this knowledge I have given does not make me better in God's eyes by any degree. I am very thankful for everything I have been given.