Devotional Guide, Today’s Reading – Sunday, August 15, 2021

Theme: Making the most of our talents in the work of God

Text: “O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and no secret troubleth thee, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof.” – Daniel 4:9.

Comment: Another important figure in the Bible who was gifted in interpreting dreams and who was also a sound administrator was Daniel. (Daniel 2:27,28; 4:8,9,18,19; Daniel 6:1-3) He was liberal in using his talents for the benefit of all. Because of his wisdom, he was preferred above the “wise men” of the Babylonian and Medo-Persian empires. And he always gave God the glory for his talents. He never thought too much of himself because of the position and honour his talents brought him. Instead he remained firm in faith and brooked no compromise even at the point of death. – Daniel 6.

Solomon the son of King David was so talented that he stands in a class of his own.  He was talented in judgment, building and construction, composition of songs and wise sayings, administration, etc. – and he used all fully to the glory of God, etc. His work in building the temple is a monument to his enormous wisdom. – 1 Kings 3: 5-28; 2 Chronicles 1:7-12; 1 Kings 4; 8; 10:23-27.

We can see that all those given gifts by God became famous for the fact that they used it in the work of God.  “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” – Matthew 6:24.