Jump Start # 777

Matthew 25:14-15 “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.”

Our passage today comes from what we commonly call the parable of the talents. It is found in a series of parables about the coming of Jesus. The first in this chapter, the parable of the wise and foolish virgins, emphasizes the need to be prepared and on the alert. Jesus is coming. The second parable, the parable of the talents, emphasizes the value of being responsible. While Jesus is gone, we need to do what He wants us to. The final parable, the gathering of the nations, reminds us that we will face Jesus in the judgment. Many great lessons in all of these parables.

The parable of the talents is about a master who left three servants various amounts of money. That’s what a talent is, money. He entrusted them with the money, his money. They were stewards or managers of what was given to them. Upon his return, each were to show what they had done with the money given to them. The first two had doubled what was given to them. The third man did nothing. He buried his in the ground. The master was furious with the last servant, calling him lazy and wicked. What he had was taken from him and he was cast away. That’s the story.

Today, I want to focus upon the thought of the master giving something to each of the servants. Have you thought about that much? God has given each of us something of value. He has given differing amounts to each of us. Consider, there are some who have a real gift for music. They not only enjoy music, they understand music, can write music and can hear things  that the rest of us cannot. What they have is a gift. Certainly they have enhanced that gift by developing a skill, learning more, going to school, but they have a special gift. We sometimes call that “God-given” gift. For others, it’s the arts. They can look at a bare wall and in a few minutes tell you how to arrange pictures, furniture, accent things that just makes a room come alive. With others, it’s through the lens of a camera. Where some of us would just take a picture, they have that artistic flare and touch that others cannot see. God given! Others, it’s words. They can write in such a way that it strikes a cord with the heart. Others, it’s a personality that makes people love to be around them. Outgoing, warm, friendly, they just light up a room. Others sit back and think, I wish I could be like that. God–given, and then developed. Some can figure out how things work and how to fix things. Some are great with wood. Some are dreamers. Some are motivators. God has given each of us a gift. That gift may lie dormant for years, or even a life time. Others, build upon that gift and use it for the rest of their lives.

Now just a few simple thoughts from all of this:

• First, all of us have a gift from God. We may look at others who can do so much and believe that we can’t do anything, but that’s not true. God has given you a gift. You may have to try some things to find it, but it’s there.
• Secondly, God wants us to use the talents He has given us for His purpose and glory. These gifts are NOT meant to make us think we are better than others. Maybe we can sing, does that mean we are better than the person who can’t? The person who can’t sing might be able to build, or write, or draw and the singer can’t do that. Use those talents in ways God wants and glorify Him. The one talent man did nothing with what was given to him. What a waste. That sad example is repeated over and over. People wasting ability, opportunity and talents, either by not using them, or using them in selfish and sinful ways.

• Talent can be improved upon. Learning, studying, practice all help us tone our talents in very useful ways. We become good at what our talent is.
• Many talents cannot be passed on, they are God-given. A person may be talented in music, his kids may not. Because of dad, the kids may have a step up on others, having grown up in an atmosphere of music, but they may never reach the level dad did, because he had a talent given by God.
• We can pass on to our children our fears and prejudices. A person who hates green beans may raise children who have learned to hate green beans. A person who is afraid of flying may pass that fear on to their children. The same is true of the fear of pets, scary movies, and a host of other things. Those fears can shut down and close a talent that the child has. The talent becomes suppressed because of the fears of the parent. What is a parent to do? Try things. Maybe you are not musical. Your child wants to go out for the school band and take lessons. Allow him to try it. There may be a talent there. Don’t let your fears become your child’s fears.

You have something given to you by God. Do you recognize it? Have you developed it and used it for God’s glory? Don’t waste time trying to be someone else, be yourself. Use your talent. God has given something to you and that makes you special and uniquely you!

Roger