Unwrapped Potential: The Peril of Unused Gifts

The Mina We All Keep Somewhere

Lord Jesus tells us about a servant who came back and said:

“Master, here is your mina; I kept it hidden in a handkerchief.” (Luke 19:20)

This servant didn’t steal the mina. He didn’t lose it. He simply did nothing with it.

And that is something many of us can relate to.

Many believers are not rebellious they are just inactive. They know God has given them something, but they keep it “safe,” unused, untouched.

The servant hid the mina because he was afraid. Fear often disguises itself as wisdom.

We say things like:

The Bible tells us clearly:

“Perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.”(1 John 4:18)

Fear doesn’t protect us it paralyses us. It stops us from taking even the smallest stepin the right direction.

When We Misunderstand God, We Hide

The servant believed his master was harsh and difficult. Because of that wrong belief, he stopped trying.

Many people today think:

But Scripture tells us the truth:

“The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.”(Psalm 103:8)

When we truly understand God’s heart, we will stop hiding and start serving.

Our Words Reveal Our Belief

The servant spoke negatively about the master and those very words were used to judge him.

The Bible says:

“The tongue has the power of life and death.” (Proverbs 18:21)

What we speak shows what we believe. If we constantly say, “I can’t,” “I’m not called,” or “It won’t work,” we close doors God may have opened.

God Expects Effort, Not Perfection

The master said something very important: Even putting the money in the bank would have been better than doing nothing.

This tells us something powerful God values effort.

“Faith without works is dead.” (James 2:26)

You don’t have to do everything. Just do something.

Everyone Has a Mina

Jesus reminds us:

“Well done, good and faithful servant… You have been faithful with a few things.”(Matthew 25:23)

God starts with the small things.

Fear is not from God. You were not created to live in fear

“God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”(2 Timothy 1:7)

You were designed to grow, to step out, to invest what God placed in your hands.

Don’t Hide What God Gave You

The story of the third servant is a warning but also an invitation.

“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest.”(Galatians 6:9)

Do not keep your mina wrapped up.

Use it. Try. Step out. Trust God.

Even a small act of faith can unlock great purpose.

Bible Reading: Exodus 23-25