The Parable of The Talents (Mt 25:14-30) is a powerful reminder that God has invested in each of us. And it is our sacred duty to give God a return on that investment.
As you may recall, in this parable a servant was punished for hiding what his master had given him out of fear and a lack of faith. In a sense, the servant mistrusted his ability to make productive use of what his master had given him. In addition, he mistrusted his master’s compassion and mercy should his efforts in that regard fail.
From the wording of the parable, it seems clear that the master was upset that the servant was too wrapped up in his own self-interest and self-preservation to risk growing the master’s investment. In contrast, the two other servants who trusted themselves enough to successfully risk and grow the master’s investment in them pleased the master. They were duly rewarded for their dedication, faith, ingenuity, and courage.
The unfortunate servant, however, was not punished for trying and failing. He was punished for not trying at all.
Talents as Currency and Investment
A while back, I was fascinated to learn that our present term “talents” is derived from this wonderful parable. The book “God’s Will, Our Initiative” by Dale S. Schultz (2010), was the source of this new found knowledge.
In the days of Jesus, a talent was a measure of weight or monetary currency. That meaning, and the word associated with it, would have likely disappeared in the winds of time if not for the use and meaning of that term in the context of this famous parable (Schultz, pg. 2). Thus, we see that there is indeed a connection between the concepts of talents and financial investment. Just as we can each make productive or non-productive use of our money, we can also make productive and non-productive use of the talents God has given each of us.
Talent as Opportunity
The similarity between currency and talent is profound. Productive use of currency allows us to grow what we have and make a bigger difference for ourselves as well as others. We invest currency in education, property, and investments to improve our earthly lives. We also donate currency to charities, good causes, and situations of need to make a difference in the lives of others. The phrase “money well spent” implies currency used to make things better for others as well as ourselves, and the situations around us.
Likewise, we are also called to make productive use of our talents. Such use implies using our talents to serve and love God and others. They should not only be used merely to serve our own personal and often selfish purposes.
God gives all of us unique talents and abilities. We, in turn, are to discern, develop, and apply them as a means of growing closer to God. They should be used to help others grow closer to God as well.
The Talent Crossroads
A wonderful singing voice or a facility in writing or speaking can bring others and ourselves closer to God. Such talents can also lead others and ourselves away from God. Similarly, prowess in business, numbers, and financial matters can make a positive difference in the lives of people in need. Or they can be used simply and solely to enrich ourselves.
Problems only arise when we do not care enough to discern and grow our talents, or when we grow those talents only for ourselves. So we are expected to discover our real talents and not waste time trying to develop talents we do not have. Then out of Christian charity, we should use these God-given abilities in the service of God and others.
Ultimately, we have each been given talents, and those talents provide us with the opportunity to positively and profoundly impact the lives of others as well as to serve God’s Will.
Talent as God’s Investment in Each of Us
Whether we realize or accept it or not, we have each been given unique talents and skills by God. We accept, as we should, that God is all knowing and all good. So we must accept that the talents He has given each of us have a profound and transcendent purpose and implication for our eternal future and that of others.
God could have given each of us other abilities and talents. Yet, in His wisdom, He conferred our specific talents upon each of us. There is no coincidence with God, and the talents He has given each of us are no exception. God wants each of us to discern, develop, and apply our God-given talents for the good of others and as a way of serving and loving Him.
Like the master in the Parable of The Talents, God confers talent upon us to see what we will do with that talent. He also challenges us to see that talent as an opportunity to grow in our Faith and practice our Faith. We can take on that challenge and grow our talent in unique, powerful, and transcendent ways. Conversely, we can ignore that talent or use it merely for ourselves and our personal agenda.
The Key Perspective To Our Talents
Whether we discern, develop, and grow our talent toward God or away from Him largely depends on one key realization. Our talents do not belong to us.
Too many of us see our talents as our property, belonging to us to do as we wish with them. So we will never truly and sincerely use them to bring glory to and serve God. But we are called to present our talents as offerings and sacrifices to God. They should be presented and dedicated to Him, to use as He sees best, because they belong to Him. In the end, we are only leasing our talents from God.
I am convinced that part of our judgment will be in how we tried to use the talents God gave us. Did we use them for the service, love, and glory of God?
I do not think that God is too interested in minute details, but more in how much we each tried our best to bring God to others using those talents.
Here’s a simple analogy. We are expected to care more for a leased car than our own. We have to answer for the condition of a leased at the end of the lease. So too, we will someday have to answer for how we tried to make productive use of our God-given talents.
So let each of us ask God to help us discern our talents. Let us ask Him how best use those talents to serve, love, and honor Him!
3 thoughts on “Your Talents are Leased, Not Owned”
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As the late Rush Limbaugh would say to introduce his show, “Talent on loan from God.”
Mark ! Thank you for that reference to Rush. First time I heard him say that I thought he was pompous. Later, I realized he was merely being honest for all of us. Thanks again!