The Mirror of the Word and other works by C.E. White can be purchased on her website, cewhitebooks.com or on Amazon.

“To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability.”

—Matthew 25:15

In the Parable of the Talents, the master does not judge the servants based on their abilities. He knows what they’re capable of and gives them responsibility accordingly. He isn’t expecting anyone to do more than they’re able; he only expects that they will not waste what they have been given.

We often either feel like we can’t do as much as others around us or that we can’t do things as well. We may not believe we’re as smart, talented, or spiritually strong. We may struggle with learning disabilities or chronic health conditions that limit what we can do.

But God never judges us by comparing our talents and abilities to others’. He never looks at any of us and says, “Well, she’s not as good as so–and–so because she can’t ________.” He created and arranged each of us in the body of Christ just as he desired (1 Corinthians 12:18) and has specific good works in mind for us—works tailored to our unique gifts and abilities (Ephesians 2:10). The work he has for us is work that we can do.

Our inabilities are never a point of shame, for even where we are weak, he is strong (2 Corinthians 12:9–10).

What he does ask is faithfulness with what we’ve been given. Our talents, abilities, skills, personality, and even our struggles are always to be invested in the kingdom of God, putting feet to the prayer “your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

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