Trivializing Our Talents

Some Christians possess incredible talents. They can do it all! Serve as an elder? Done! Lead singing? No problem! Teach the little ones? Certainly! Comfort the bereaved? With true compassion! Strengthen those weak in the faith? Yes, with exactly the right words and actions!

Other Christians struggle to find their abilities. “I just can’t do anything,” is their lament. “Some people are so talented, but I was not so blessed,” they continue. But the fact that a person “can’t” lead singing, serve as an elder, feel comfortable teaching young children, or preach a full-length gospel sermon doesn’t mean he or she is without capability. “There is much to do; there’s work on every hand. Hark! The cry for help comes ringing through the land.”

Jesus emphasized the latter in “the parable of the talents” (Matt. 25:14-30). He described a wealthy man who was leaving home for a while and entrusted his possessions to three servants, who would take care of his financial matters until he returned. According to each servant’s abilities (v. 15), he distributed “talents” (sums of money equivalent to 6,000 denarii [each denarius was worth one days’ wage for a common laborer]). This is quite an extraordinary sum of money. The “five talent man” was entrusted 30,000 days” wages to invest, the “two talent man” 12,000 days’ wages, and the “one talent man” 6,000 day’s wages.

Let’s conservatively translate this into modern money. Common laborers today earn an average of at least $10.00 per hour. Based on our 8 hour work day, that is $80.00 per day. The “five talent man” was entrusted 30,000 days’ wages (which is 5 talents multiplied by 6,000 days’ wages, because each talent is worth 6,000 days’ wages). 30,000 times $80.00 (our equivalent for each days’ wage) is $2.4 million. The “two talent man” was entrusted 12,000 daysn wages (2 talents multiplied by 6,000 days’ wages). 12,000 times $80.00 is $960,000. The “one talent man” was entrusted with 6,000 days’ wages. 6,000 multiplied by $80.00 is $480,000. So whether “five talent,” “two,” or “one” these sums of money are quite substantial! Anyone ever entrusted this much money to you? I dare say, not many of us!

What is the point? Whether we view ourselves as very capable, moderately talented, or incapable of making much of a difference, God views all that He has entrusted to us as vitally important. The “one talent man” hid his in the sand, because he was afraid of making a mess of things (v. 24,25). Then he wrongly blamed his master for his fear. To this the master basically responds: “Oh, so you think I’m that kind of master, huh? Then you should have at least put the money in the bank to draw interest for me” (v. 26,27). The master knew his servant could take care of this, accused him of being “wicked and lazy” (v. 26), and punished him for not doing better (v. 28-30).

When the Lord entrusts us with an opportunity, He expects us to use it responsibly and faithfully. And many of us have abilities we have minimized, because we think our “talents” less impressive than what someone else can do. As one lady said: “There’s just not much that women can do.” Nonsense! It is true they cannot serve as elders or deacons or preachers to men, but there is so much more to serving God and others besides these few things.

Jesus said, “And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward” (Matt. 10:42). From a worldly point of view this isn’t much service. But when we do what we can with the abilities God provides, we honor Him and make a difference in the lives of others. And while a cup of cold water may not seem like much, it makes a great difference to someone who is dying of thirst. None can do everything that needs doing, but when all do their share, the work gets done. And by helping others perform their duties, we also become partners in the good they do. In other words, no man becomes an effective teacher, preacher, elder, etc. without the encouragement of many men and women. By strengthening God’s servants, we help His will move forward in this world.

Can you smile warmly and brighten the day of someone who is discouraged? Can you take food to a bereaved family? Can you write a note to a fellow-Christian who is struggling in his faith? Can you pick up the phone and call a sister in Christ who has made a difference in your life and say “Thank you?” Can you pray for all the above? Then you can make an amazing difference for God in the lives of others!

The “one talent man” thought he was insignificant. By dwelling upon that thought, he became exactly that. His master saw his abilities, entrusting him with something important. Rather than trusting his master and putting his talent to work, he hid it in the dirt and blamed his master for his deficiencies. God has entrusted important things to us. Rather than wishing we were blessed like five talent men - and blaming God for our “lack of talent” - let’s put to use what God has given us. He never expects of us what we could never do. But He does expect us to do what we can - and grow toward being even more capable.

“Well done,” the master says to the faithful stewards. “Cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness,” he says of the unfaithful one. We too determine our fate, so let’s trust God and fulfill our duties in faith.

Related

Abundant Life: July 2010

• What Happens in Baptism? by Brian Haines
• Rabshakeh's Psychological Warfare by Matt King