A Matter of Talent

Jesus said, "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, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, `Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.' His master said to him, `Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, `Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.' But his master replied, `You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' " Matthew 25:14-30

I am blessed to know many talented people, and come from a family of talented people. Not everyone's gifts are the same, some are artists, some musicians and some talented at bringing people together. Whether famous or not talented people are at their best when they are able to use their talent for expression, to liven up the world and to challenge the way others see and think. It is incredibly sad when those same folks hide their gifts due to lack of confidence. Some have been hurt so badly. And sometimes they can be lazy or selfish and want perfection and adoration rather than the work it takes to develop a true gift. And worst of all, sometimes they can use their gifts to bully and hurt others. The more gifts we have the more responsibility we have.Love is the best gift of all, and it too takes work and humility.

Jesus was speaking to his disciples and those gathered about the blessings they receive. He reminds us all if we step out and use what we have been given, we will be a blessing and we will know blessing. If we hide away in fear or laziness, we will never know the blessings from what we have been given. We must, no matter how often we fail, continue to use the love and the talents we have been given. God planted each of us with talents that the worlds needs today.

Today I ask God to help me use what I have been given for the benefit of others. May our hands and hearts be used always for the good of others, for lifting up the fallen and for leading the lost and forgotten.



Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.