Laziness

LAZINESS

I'm going to say this is the biggest flesh problem that I've hated the most. I looked up laziness to just to get a general definition, nothing too serious. I then came across this definition (get ready for this):

UNWILLINGNESS TO DO WORK OR BE ACTIVE

Sounds pretty strong if I say, not because of the bold lettering :). Over the weekend I was reading and meditating on Matthew 25, and I read verse 18: "But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money."

The talent was what this servant received from his lord. I had always thought talent meant "spiritual gifts", but I could never connect the two. How does receiving a talent mean that I had received some sort of spiritual gift? The greek word for talent is "talanton" meaning "sum of money". That left me really confused, so I ask God what exactly he is trying to tell me here? I re-read the verses prior to 18 and I read this part of verse 15: "...to every man according to his several ability;" . I looked up the greek word for ability which is "dunamis" meaning specific, or miraculous power (These greek words are so helpful btw :)).

It struck me in my way of how I thought God gave gifts to people. God doesn't give gifts according to sum of money, but based on our abilities. That's how God uses us. But at times, I'll look at someone else and be envious of that gift, and fail to consider what God gives me and thus I become lazy.

But then I was lead to this verse, and get ready for this: "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." - 1 Peter 4:11

Wow, not only does he give to our abilities but God himself is glorified when we actually use what he gives us for him. For awhile I've been the one digging what God has given and not really doing anything, but after reading this I've make a goal each day to fight that crave for laziness, and do things for God's glory.