This document discusses the difference between gifts and talents. It provides definitions for both gifts and talents from sources like dictionaries. It also examines perspectives on gifts and talents from the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy writings. Key points made include: - Gifts are things given willingly without payment, while talents refer to natural abilities or skills. - God gives each person talents or abilities, but it is up to the individual to develop their character and use their talents wisely. - Parable of the talents shows God expects us to use the talents He has given us and not let them go to waste. - Developing character and using talents for God requires effort, self-denial and overcoming defects

1. GIFTS and
TALENTs, are they
the same?

2. “The life of Christ was an ever-widening,
shoreless influence, an influence that
bound Him to God and to the whole
human family. Through Christ, God has
invested man with an influence that
makes it impossible for him to live to
himself. Individually we are connected
with our fellow men, a part of God’s
great whole, and we stand under mutual
obligations. No man can be independent
of his fellow men; for the well-being of
each affects others. It is God’s purpose
that each shall feel himself necessary to
others’ welfare, and seek to promote
their happiness.”
Christ Object Lessons, Pg. 339.2

3. Today our discussion is centered on
GIFTS and TALENTS, are they the
same. We are going to look at the
meaning, the scripture and spirit of
prophecy in regards to it. This
education is to help us as a church to
grow towards the excellency of the
faith and develop characters fit for
Jesus’ return. We are to prepare
before He comes, not when He
comes.

4. Gift mean:
(a) A thing given
willingly to someone
without payment.
(b) A natural ability
or talent.

5. Talent mean:
(a) Natural aptitude or skill.
(b) A marked innate ability, as for
artistic accomplishment.
(c) Natural endowment or ability
of a superior quality.

6. Spirit of prophecy
identifies something
on talent.

7. “Wherever we are, we should watch
for opportunities of speaking to
others of the Saviour. If we follow
Christ’s example in doing good,
hearts will open to us as they did to
Him. Not abruptly, but with tact born
of divine love, we can tell them of Him
who is the “Chiefest among ten
thousand” and the One “altogether
lovely.” Song of Solomon 5:10, 16. This
is the very highest work in which we
can employ the talent of speech. It
was given to us that we might present
Christ as the sin-pardoning Saviour.”
Christ Object Lessons, Pg. 339.1

8. Ps.71:15,16
[15] My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy
salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof.
[16] I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make
mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.
1Cor.2:4,5
[4] And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing
words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit
and of power:
[5] That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men,
but in the power of God.

9. Col.4:6
[6] Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with
salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every
man.
TiT.2:7,8
[7] In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in
doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
[8] Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is
of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing
to say of you.

10. Jam.1:19,20
[19] Wherefore, my beloved brethren,
let every man be swift to hear, slow to
speak, slow to wrath:
[20] For the wrath of man worketh not
the righteousness of God.

11. “But Christ sanctions no lavish
or careless use of means. His
lesson in economy, “Gather up
the fragments that remain, that
nothing be lost,” is for all His
followers. (John 6:12.) He who
realizes that his money is a
talent from God will use it
economically, and will feel it a
duty to save that he may
give.“
Christ Object Lessons, Pg. 352.2

12. “Many who are teachers of the truth
cease to be students, digging, ever
digging for truth as for hidden treasures.
Their minds reach a common, low
standard; but they do not seek to
become men of influence, not for the
sake of selfish ambition, but for Christ’s
sake, that they may reveal the power of
the truth upon the intellect. It is no sin to
appreciate literary talent, if it is not
idolized; but no one is to strive for vain
glory to exalt self. When this is the case,
there is an absence of the wisdom that
cometh from above, which is first pure,
then peaceable, easy to be entreated,
full of love and of good fruits.”
Christian Education, Pg. 53.1

13. Let’s examine the talents
God gave humanity and
how it was put to use.

14. Mt. 25:14-29
[14] For the kingdom of heaven is as a man
travelling into a far country, who called his own
servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
[15] And unto one he gave five talents, to another
two, and to another one; to every man according
to his several ability; and straightway took his
journey.
[16] Then he that had received the five talents went
and traded with the same, and made them other
five talents.

15. Mt. 25:14-29
[17] And likewise he that had received two, he also gained
other two.
[18] But he that had received one went and digged in the
earth, and hid his lord's money.
[19] After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and
reckoneth with them.
[20] And so he that had received five talents came and brought
other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five
talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
[21] His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful
servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make
thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy
lord.

16. Mt. 25:14-29
[22] He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord,
thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained
two other talents beside them.
[23] His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful
servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make
thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
[24] Then he which had received the one talent came and said,
Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where
thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not
strawed:
[25] And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth:
lo, there thou hast that is thine.

17. Mt. 25:14-29
[26] His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and
slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed
not, and gather where I have not strawed:
[27] Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the
exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received
mine own with usury.
[28] Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him
which hath ten talents.
[29] For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he
shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be
taken away even that which he hath.

18. “God gives the talents, the powers of the
mind; we form the character. It is formed
by hard, stern battles with self. Conflict
after conflict must be waged against
hereditary tendencies. We shall have to
criticize ourselves closely, and allow not
one unfavorable trait to remain
uncorrected. Let no one say, I cannot
remedy my defects of character. If you
come to this decision, you will certainly fail
of obtaining everlasting life. The
impossibility lies in your own will. If you
will not, then you cannot overcome. The
real difficulty arises from the corruption of
an unsanctified heart, and an unwillingness
to submit to the control of God.”
Christ Object Lessons, Pg. 331.1, 2

19. “Many whom God has
qualified to do excellent
work accomplish very little,
because they attempt little.
Thousands pass through life
as if they had no definite
object for which to live, no
standard to reach. Such will
obtain a reward
proportionate to their
works…

20. …Remember that you will never reach a
higher standard than you yourself set.
Then set your mark high, and step by step,
even though it be by painful effort, by self-
denial and sacrifice, ascend the whole
length of the ladder of progress. Let
nothing hinder you. Fate has not woven its
meshes about any human being so firmly
that he need remain helpless and in
uncertainty. Opposing circumstances
should create a firm determination to
overcome them. The breaking down of
one barrier will give greater ability and
courage to go forward. Press with
determination in the right direction, and
circumstances will be your helpers, not
your hindrances.
Christ Object Lessons, Pg. 331.3, 4

21. “But Christ has given us no assurance that to attain
perfection of character is an easy matter. A noble,
all-round character is not inherited. It does not
come to us by accident. A noble character is
earned by individual effort through the merits and
grace of Christ. God gives the talents, the powers
of the mind; we form the character. It is formed by
hard, stern battles with self. Conflict after conflict
must be waged against hereditary tendencies. We
shall have to criticize ourselves closely, and allow
not one unfavorable trait to remain
uncorrected…Let no one say, I cannot remedy my
defects of character. If you come to this decision,
you will certainly fail of obtaining everlasting life.
The impossibility lies in your own will. If you will
not, then you cannot overcome. The real difficulty
arises from the corruption of an unsanctified heart,
and an unwillingness to submit to the control of
God.”
Christ Object Lessons, Pg. 331.1,2

22. “To every man God has
entrusted talents for wise
improvement. If rightly used,
these talents will reflect glory
to the Giver. But the most
precious gifts of God may be
perverted, and thus become
a curse rather than a
blessing....”
Our High Calling, Pg. 218.2

23. Rom.12:3
[3] For I say, through the grace given
unto me, to every man that is among
you, not to think of himself more
highly than he ought to think; but to
think soberly, according as God hath
dealt to every man the measure of
faith.

24. Phil.4:8
[8] Finally, brethren, whatsoever things
are true, whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just, whatsoever
things are pure, whatsoever things are
lovely, whatsoever things are of good
report; if there be any virtue, and if
there be any praise, think on these
things.

25. Brethren
Let Us
Pray!