Buried Talents: Why Cowards Don’t Inherit God’s Kingdom

A woman sitting by the water with her face buried in her knees, appearing distressed and overwhelmed, symbolizing the pain of buried talents.

This topic is close to my heart, inspired by the parable of the talents. As I reflected on it, I felt God calling me to examine the dangers of holding back what He’s given us. How often do we feel a nudge to act, only to hear voices of doubt saying, “I can’t do this” or “What if I fail?” These doubts are seeds the enemy plants to keep us from our purpose, leading to buried talents.

When we let fear control us and bury our gifts, we miss out on the amazing plans God has for us. The Bible warns us that neglecting these talents has serious consequences. My hope is that sharing my journey inspires you to step boldly into what God has placed on your heart and unbury your own buried talents.

The Parable of the Talents: A Call to Bring Buried Talents to Life

In Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus tells of a master who gives three servants talents, each according to their abilities. Two of the servants use their talents, investing and doubling them, while the third, out of fear, buries his talent in the ground. When the master returns, he praises the first two but scolds the third for hiding his talent. By burying his gift, the third servant loses it entirely. This story teaches us that we are meant to bring our gifts to life, not to create buried talents. When we hide what God has entrusted to us, we not only lose opportunities but risk missing His blessings.

Talents and Trials: Why We Should Not Bury Our Gifts

For a long time, I struggled with James 1:2-3, which says to “consider it pure joy” when facing trials. Why should I feel joy in my pain? But over time, I realized that our challenges reveal and shape our talents. Many artists, writers, and creators produce their most powerful work from real experiences of pain and growth. These stories resonate because they’re raw and authentic.

God allows us to face trials to prepare us for a greater purpose. Through these challenges, channel your emotions and the energy they bring into your craft—into what you’re good at. Share your story—it has the power to help someone else. Keeping silent hides your talents, but sharing your journey can inspire and uplift those around you.

Embracing God’s Kingdom: Living Out Our Gifts Instead of Creating Buried Talents

The kingdom of God isn’t a far-off place; it’s a way of life. Romans 14:17 tells us, “The kingdom of God is about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” And Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21). By welcoming God’s presence, we make His kingdom a part of our lives. And when we actively live out our gifts, we experience the peace and joy that comes from unburying our talents and fulfilling our purpose.

My Testimony: How I Allowed the Enemy to Bury My Talents

Growing up as the eldest daughter of immigrant parents in Florida, I faced a lot of bullying at my predominantly Black school. I didn’t look, sound, or act like my classmates, and this difference made me feel the best way to cope was to stay quiet. Even as I worked hard to learn English, this only led to more bullying because I didn’t speak the way others did. These early experiences taught me to hide, and I struggled to be seen and heard. Over time, I became withdrawn, quiet, and aloof, my gifts hidden deep inside—buried talents that God never intended to stay hidden.

Then, as I drew closer to God, He showed me how deeply I had buried my talents. Through Scripture, He opened my eyes to my patterns. It was eye-opening and a little frightening, but this experience encouraged me to start blogging. The enemy works on us from a young age, planting seeds of insecurity to keep our talents buried. But when we allow God to heal us, we can bring those buried talents to light and find the freedom He intended for us.

If you, too, struggle to be seen and heard, remember that your story has value and power. I hope my journey encourages you to unbury your gifts, let God heal you, and become who He meant you to be. Once you do, you will experience true freedom.

Uncovering My Buried Talents

There are many of you who may wonder, “What are my talents, and how do I know what God intends for me?” Everyone’s life experiences are different, and sometimes we uncover our talents by reflecting on our childhood and examining ourselves. For me, I used to pretend to be a teacher. As early as five years old, I would teach a classroom of teddy bears. Some people discover their gifts through hobbies or by attending school. Others might find their talents by sharing their trials, perhaps becoming a comedian or a speaker.

One key point is that if you want to know your talents, you first need to seek God. As Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” This seeking comes through studying the Bible, fasting, praying, worshiping, and asking God to reveal your gifts to you.

Consequences of Buried Talents

Ignoring our Father’s call to share our gifts leaves us with buried talents and keeps us from His blessings of peace, joy, and fulfillment. When we bury our talents, we also risk God passing these opportunities to someone else who will use them, causing us to miss the blessings He prepared.

Bringing Our Buried Talents to Light for God’s Glory

Today’s world gives us endless ways to share our talents. In the past, the disciples traveled by foot to spread the gospel. Now, we can connect with people across the globe in seconds. Social media, blogs, books, and other platforms give us incredible tools to share our stories and inspire others. We don’t have to let our talents stay buried; we can let them shine to bring God’s glory into the world.

In Summary

Every one of us has talents God wants us to use. These gifts aren’t just for us or our friends and family; they’re for the world. Jesus said, “No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand so that those who come in can see the light” (Mark 4:21). Our talents, when brought out of hiding, can inspire, heal, and bring freedom to others.

Burying our talents only leads to sorrow and missed blessings. Embracing and using them brings us closer to fulfilling God’s purpose for us and allows us to make an impact in the lives of others. Let’s choose to unbury our talents, let our lights shine, and live out the purpose He has for us.

Other Blog post

If you found this post, Buried Talents: Why Cowards Don’t Inherit God’s Kingdom, helpful, don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter to receive similar content and stay inspired on your journey of growth.