I assume everyone knows the parable of the talents. Jesus gives this somber parable near the end of his ministry. In case you don't know, or actually want to read over it before continuing in this blog, here it is:
“For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants[c] and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents,[d] to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good andfaithful servant.[e] You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
From this parable I think we can gather a few bits of info.
1) Everyone was given talents "each according to his ability"
2) Jesus cares very much about how we spent those talents
Now, I've heard sermons comparing these talents to skills and things. I don't think that is wrong-not at all. But I was recently hit with something else. Something I think, because of its magnitude encompasses those talents as well.
Time.
Time is a difficult thing. We think too much of it. We think too little of it. We think not at all of it.
What we seldom do is think rightly of it. I think much more than specific talents and abilities Jesus is talking about our life-that is our current state (and currency).
Consider Luke 14:25-35 Jesus talks about calculating the cost of war, but along with the parables above it, Jesus is really talking about being a disciple.
OR
Romans 12:1-2 I appeal to you therefore, brothers,[a] by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.[b] Do not be conformed to this world,[c] but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.[d]
Jesus, through Paul, tells us that real worship is our life; offering our life as a living sacrifice for the Kingdom of God and letting that life be dedicated to fulfilling that Kingdom here on earth. This is exactly what Jesus is talking about and angry with those who wasted it.
How about you? How are you spending your talents? You don't know how many you have been given (how long your life will be) but you know you have been given one and Christ demands you spend it rightly. This isn't a bad thing because whether you know it or not Christ IS your ultimate joy.
I pray you would be burdened to spend your life wisely. To spend it loving God, serving people, offering your life as a sacrifice for the world. You can't lose in this deal. You gain Christ if you give it up! What on earth could be worth giving up supreme joy in fellowship with God? Nothing.
I encourage you, spend it all in one place. :)
19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust[e] destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
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