I Say Yes

In Matthew 25 we read about the 3 individuals who were given different amounts of “talents”… or “abilities.” A basic translation of the word “talent” can mean gifts and capacities, although in the parable it is referred to as “money.”

The parable goes like this:
In preparation for a long trip, a master entrusts his money to three servants in his absence.
To one he gives 5 bags of silver
To one he gives 2 bags of silver.
To one he gives 1 bag of silver.
The “talents” were given in proportion to their abilities.
When the master returns, he finds the following:
The one who had 5, invested and earned 5 more.
The one who had 2, went to work and earned 2 more.
The one who had 1, dug a hole and buried the money in the ground.
In reward for the ones who had a 100% return on their investment, he gave them not only a celebration feast, but greater responsibility.
In punishment for the one who had zero return on their gift, he was ordered to give his single bag to the one who now had 10, and then arranged for his judgement into darkness.

It’s a sobering story, really. Especially when we recognize a bit of ourselves in the unfaithful, slothful servant who’s suspicion led to eternal suffering.

And I get it… to some degree I have been the one with one talent. The one who has often thought, “What I do have is nothing anyway.” I have allowed ignorant thoughts to plague my mind. Thoughts like, “What I have been given isn’t as good as what she has been given!” And, “Their work is so much more significant than mine!”

But the truth really is that these are lies right from the enemy himself. They are NOT Christ-centered thoughts.

God gives us… each one of us… specific gifts and talents for the purpose of serving Him in the highest level. He gives us graces in an effort that we may show grace. He gives us skills and abilities that we may use every bit of them to serve others, while representing Him to a world gone mad without Him.

And we can properly respond and react to these “responsibilities” because they are given only up to the measure of our ability. We respond by saying yes and opening our whole heart to whatever He has.

In this case, the master, no doubt, wanted his property… his possessions… to be properly tended to in his absence. And yet let’s look at it through the lens of Jesus and what He gives to us.

He gives to His children talents to use this side of heaven. And He asks that we use them wisely… steward them properly… tend to His fields well… while He is physically absent from us. BUT MORE THAN THAT even, He wants His servants… His children… to be rightly cultivated, by meeting the required responsibilities, transforming into deep and reverent faithfulness which will be evident upon His return.

After all… it’s what He’s looking for when He comes back, “… when the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8)

So, friends, let’s place ourselves today in a position of readiness to do His will. To take the talent He has given.. the duty that lies before us… and live a life well-spent for the Gospel. That He might give us the most glorious rewards of all - more trust now for higher levels of faithfulness, and a verbal recognition then for a “job well done.” (Mt 25:23) Remember affirmation of our obedience isn’t based on results only, but on the quality of work we perform. The questions we must ask ourselves are, “Did we give it our all, and did we work hard with what He gave regardless of their response to it?” And if the answer is yes - than that’s all that really matters.