Inspirational: ARE YOU ANOTHER JONAH

Daily Inspirational Encouragement

ARE YOU ANOTHER JONAH

By: Linda Kirby/WGON

Jonah ran from God. Look what happened to him! God told Jonah to deliver a message of repentance to Nineveh, but he ran away instead. While at sea, he was swallowed by a great fish, repented, and chose to do God's will after all. God has given everyone tasks to do in this life and He gives us gifts, money, abilities, etc., to benefit the kingdom and bring glory to Him. In Matt. 25:14-30, Jesus tells the Parable of the Talents. Basically, it is about three men given varying amounts of talents (a first-century unit of currency). Those who used the master's money for good were highly rewarded, but the one man who didn’t steward what was given to him was cast out. We read in verse 30: 'And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ These men were expected to use what their master had given them. God expects the same from us. If He gave you a gift, resources, or talent -- use it for bringing others to Jesus. Don’t hide it or use it for worldly pleasures. Don’t just sit on it. Use the things God has given you and accomplish the tasks He has set before you! In the parable, Jesus is very explicit on how He will treat those who don’t use their talents. Those who produce no fruitfulness are revealed to not be Christians in the first place. (Note: We are never saved by our works: we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, but if we are saved, we will desire to use our gifts to be fruitful in the kingdom.) If God is calling you to do something, do it! You cannot run from God.