"For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. “To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. “Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents. “In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more. “But he who received the one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. “Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. “The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents.’ “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ “Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, ‘Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more talents.’ “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ “And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. ‘And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’ “But his master answered and said to him, ‘You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed. ‘Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest. ‘Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’ “For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. “Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." [Matthew 25:14-30 NASB]
It was common for a wealthy landowner who was going on a journey to leave his valuables with trusted servants. In this case, he left them differing amounts of money based on their abilities. The amount he left them was not insignificant, as a talent was worth about 15 to 20 years wages for a laborer. So being given even one talent demonstrated a great deal of trust.
The first two servants doubled their money. But the master didn't praise their business acumen, or their investment strategies, or their brilliance. He praised their faithfulness.
The third servant hid the money, so that it wouldn't be lost or stolen. On the surface, it doesn't appear that he did anything wrong. He didn't misspend the money, or steal any of it, or squander it in any way. He preserved what was given to him so that he could return it intact. But he was condemned for his laziness.
The "talents" in this parable refer to money. not abilities, but the principle applies to both. In fact the English word "talent" (meaning "ability") is taken from this parable.
In applying this parable to our lives, it is apparent that each of us has different abilities. Just as in the parable, the one with two talents didn't have the ability to manage five, and would have been overwhelmed. The one with five talents would have been under utilized if he had only received two. To be envious of another's talents is foolhardy.
For example, I enjoy singing. I am able to sing on key, and have been told that I have a pleasant singing voice. I use my voice to worship God, but I am not a worship leader. Why? Because I know that the ability to sing does not qualify a person to lead worship. It takes a specific gift and calling from God. I have been in a number of churches where the best singer is made the worship leader, even though they do not have that gift. How can I tell? Because of the general absence of a worshipful atmosphere, and because the singer draws attention to him/her self rather that to God. I think of it as a concert, not a worship service.
It happens that the young woman who leads worship at the church where I attend is phenomenally gifted to lead worship. She leads worship by worshiping. If the goal in a corporate worship service is to lead people into the presence of God, then she leads well. I admire her gift, but I don't envy it, because it is not my calling.
Find your calling and do it well. The person who faithfully greets people at the door will receive the same praise as the one who stands behind the pulpit.
Just don't be like the lazy servant who did nothing. You might think, "I've been saved, now all I have to do is avoid temptation and I'll be okay." But if God has called you to a service, and you don't do it, you are being unfaithful. As James said, "Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin." [James 4:17 NASB]
Being prepared for the Lord's return involves more than just waiting. We are to be about His business. If you don't know what He has called you to do, then pray. And keep praying until you understand His calling. Then keep on praying as you faithfully carry out His calling.
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