"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.." ( Col 3:23).

The story of the parable of talents is one good example of an ungrateful servant who was given a talent, hid it as others used theirs, to the great distaste of his master. Annoyed that he had not invested well his talents, this hardened servant was rebuked, "So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags" ( Mathew 25: 28).

Asked why he had not invested his talent as well as others, the lazy servant quipped back, sullenly, "Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you" ( vv 24 -25).

This was an angry man and it is doubtful even if he had been given more talents, he would have done any good. Anger blocks constructive behaviour. Just look at the way he talked back to his master.

When we have the wong attitude this what we do to the gold in our lives. God has given each one of us gold to use and invest to multiplication. But some, just like the bitter servant, are sitting on theirs, coming up with all kinds of apologetic reasons. To these the Lord says,  "For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth" ( vv 29-30).

Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, you have given each one of us a talent and may you help us to put each to good use, for the extension of your kingdom, this I pray in Jesus's name.