Hi Doreen,
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
Everything that we do in this life should be to the glory of God.
All our gifts and talents are for us so that we may, in this life, use them to do something good with it.
The Parable of the Talents
Mat 25:14 "For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.
v. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.
v. 16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.
v. 17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also.
v. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord's money.
v. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
v. 20 "So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, "Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.'
v. 21 His lord said to him, "Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'
v. 22 He also who had received two talents came and said, "Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.'
v. 23 His lord said to him, "Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'
v. 24 "Then he who had received the one talent came and said, "Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed.
v. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.'
v. 26 "But his lord answered and said to him, "You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed.
v. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.
v. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.
v. 29 "For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.
v. 30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
It is my understanding that this parable is as Ray says, they are all the same, God making man into His image. The last two verses of the parable speak of the judgment, where all will give account of their works in this life or how they used their gifts and talents, for good or bad.
1Co 3:13 each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is.
v. 14 If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.
v. 15 If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
Mat 12:35 The good man out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.
v. 36 I tell you, on the day of judgment men will render account for every careless word they utter;
v. 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
I hope this helped
mercy, peace, and love
Kat