Jesus told the story of a man going on a trip (Matthew 25:14-29) who gave three of his servants a great opportunity by entrusting some of his property to them. To one he gave five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. God gives us opportunities according to what he knows is our ability during this season of our lives.

The servant who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more.  The one with the two talents gained two more. But the servant who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. He wasted his opportunity.

After a long time the master returned and settled accounts. The servant who had received five talents brought them plus five more, and the second servant came with his two talents plus two more he had gained. The master replied to them, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.”

But then the servant who had received the one talent came and said; “Master, I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.” His master rebuked him and gave his talent to the one who had the ten talents. Then he made this amazing statement: “For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.”

There is a clear lesson to be learned. Talents are opportunities the Lord places before us every day. If we take a step of faith and obedience, he gives us more opportunities and we experience his abundance. If we live in fear and do not take a step of faith and obedience, he gives our opportunities to others whom he knows will take a step of faith and obey.

We are all living on the edge of an opportunity from the Lord. Ask your Heavenly Father to open your eyes to see what He is doing around you. Then take a step of faith and obedience. The time is now.