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THE TALENTS
“For it is as
if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted
his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another
two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he
went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at
once and traded with them and made five more talents. In the
same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents.
But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a
hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
After a long
time, the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with
them. Then the one who had received the five talents came
forward, bringing five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed
over to me five talents; see I have made five more talents.’ His
master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you
have been trustworthy in a few things and I will put you in
charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ And
the one with two talents also came forward, saying, ‘Master, you
handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more
talents.’… Then the one who had received the one talent also
came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man
… so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground.
Here you have what is yours.’ But the master replied, ‘You
wicked and lazy slave! ...’ ”
This parable is one of several Jesus used
during the latter days of his ministry to provide instruction on
the proper way to prepare for the final coming of God’s kingdom.
The basic message: We don’t know when God’s kingdom will come.
So we await our Lord in anticipation, ready for him whenever he
may arrive. We wait patiently and, while we wait, we turn every
gift the Master has given us to productive use in his service.
The word “talent” as used in the Bible
refers to a very large sum of money. Today we use the word in
reference to personal skills and abilities. Money or ability? It
doesn’t much matter. Both represent gifts from God, gifts we are
free to use in the Master’s service or equally free to bury.
Some years ago, I worked with a task force
here at Reformation. The task force was responsible for
developing and administering a spiritual gifts ministry. We
started strong with a six-week Bible study and discussion. It
was called “Opening Your Spiritual Gifts” and was designed to
help people identify their individual gifts – talents, skills,
abilities – and put them to work. The study was offered at
several different times, and more than 100 members finished the
course.
The gifts ministry did not survive as a
long-term intentional ministry here. Even so, it was well worth
the effort. We all learned so much from the study of how we are
variously gifted by God – and why.
One of the teaching points that has stuck
with me over the years is this: God has gifted every single one
of us in some way. But, just because we possess the gifts
doesn’t mean we own them. They are merely on loan to us.
We are supposed to share them. God’s gifts have no value if they
sit on dusty shelves in our mental “gift closets.” God’s gifts
are not gifts at all until they are given away.
God of all good gifts, may we learn to
use all our talents in service to you. Prepare us for the coming
of your kingdom. Amen
Dallas Cronk
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