‘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
This story of the talents, unevenly divided, reminds me of all the times in my life when I have said, and others with me, "it's not fair!" As a child, I clearly remember my parents saying, "that's life, kiddo." None of us has all the money and talent we wish, and we are often jealous of those who have more. This parable invites us to think about we do with what we have. All we have is a gift and remembering that invites us to use the talents, the money, the emotional intelligence, the compassion - all these we can share with others and increase our joy. May we use what we have to also increase the safety and joy of others.
Gracious Lord, you gave each of us great abundance
in our families, communities and our individual gifts
yet we often forget how to share and increase the gifts.
We bury our heads in the sand, shaking off the truth
pretending that we are not afraid as we tremble
and hide from the world because we are not enough.
Help us to share our talents and encourage others
so that we might all help those who are afraid
live with the great joy of sharing what we have. Amen.
