In the parable of the talents Jesus uses very intentional language to draw a clear line of distinction between the first two servants who doubled their master’s money and the third servant who hid his one talent in the sand.

Comparing the language of the first two servants, Jesus says, in Matthew 25:16 (ESV) “He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more.” Then in Matthew 25:18 (ESV) But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.

The Greek words for “went at once” and “went and dug” are different. The first two servants, “poreuomai” a Greek word designating pursuit. That the first two had a goal in mind from the moment they left. The third servant “aperchomai” (went and dug). The thrust of that word is to depart from something without a destination.

Jesus is saying something very powerful. To take what God gives you and GO without a plan, purpose or GOAL is an aimless waste of your talents (money, possessions, skills, ideas, abilities). Like the third servant, there may be a tendency in us to fearfully approach life hiding trying not to mess up. Like one author put it: “Hoping to avoid doing anything wrong, he finished up by not doing anything right.”

I’d rather aim at something and not hit it than never try in the first place.

Having GOALS is a GOD-THING. We must “go” with a goal in mind. We are blessed. We are skilled. We have lungs that breathe and mouths that speak. We have today. Are you using all that with a purpose? Or are you watching the clock waiting for 5pm biding your time?

Aim at nothing and you’ll hit it every time.

What is your goal with God?
Do you have one?
Maybe it’s time to stop digging and hiding what God has given you – start going and live pursuing a dream, a destiny, God’s vision for your life.

Blessings.