If you've spent much time in church, you've heard the parable of the talents. Usually someone compares that ancient currency with our own use of the word “talent” and tries to make the point that we should put our God-given “talents” (skills/abilities) to good use or be confronted by the stern face of our Heavenly Father for wasting what He gave to us.
God does expect us to put to good use whatever He gives to us. However, the major focus of this story is a little friendlier. Our Heavenly Father is a little more like a wonderful earthly father than we usually give Him credit for. The way the story is often told gives us the impression that the real “sin” in wasting our gifts is somehow thwarting the plan of God. We supposedly are defeating God, and making Him very angry.
God is capable of being angry and we see His anger in this story. The third of three servants is the recipient of His anger because he conserved, but failed to invest, the master's money. In fact, He was only pleased with the other two, the two who had risked all that had been put in their trust. They had risked it all and had earned more with it. They had put the master's money at risk of loss while the third servant provided safety and security. There was no way that anyone would find and steal that money of the master's, not on his watch!
But safety and security is not what God wants from us. It is not what was most highly valued in this story that Jesus told. He wants us to TRUST! What is the point, or the necessity, of trusting when all is safe and secure? Jesus asks us to risk all that He has entrusted into our care, serving Him with great abandon and seeking out a great return for Him. After all, all that we have comes from Him!
So, whatever God has given to you or entrusted into your care, USE IT! Throw all caution to the winds and invest God's gifts to gain great returns for His glory. Choosing safety and security limits your returns. Abandoning all for Him and His glory will bring great reward.
Posts
