Talents

Matthew 25:14-28

I don’t know enough people to say that we all overlook how we can contribute to the body of Christ, but I know that, from what I have seen, many Christians (including myself) don’t use their gifts for the good of the Church. I get so complacent in my church attendance that I don’t think of how I can add to the works that strengthen the church or evangelize to those outside of the church. The aforementioned passage can be read literally in that the servants’ master gave them money expecting them to be good stewards, but another way to look at it is that God gives us talents that he expects us to use for his glory. In some translations of the bible, this parable uses the actual word “talent” as opposed to the bags of gold as translated in the NIV translation. In fact, in my research, I found that the word talent as we use it today was derived from this parable that was written in a time when a talent was merely a measurement of currency. The master gave his servants different amounts of gold which he expected to be multiplied or at least returned with interest as shown his reaction upon return. It shows me that God gives us abilities that we are to use for the good of others. This idea is supported in later passages.

1 cor 12:7-11

7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

Paul tells the church in Corinth that gifts are given to us for the common good. He mentions gifts as glorious as miraculous powers, prophecy and speaking in tongues but also common gifts like faith, wisdom and knowledge. All are abilities given by the Holy Spirit that distributes them to each individual as he determines.

Romans 12:4-8

4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Paul tells the church in Rome about their gifts giving them examples that we can identify with today. He tells them that whatever their gift is, they should use it according to their faith and to do it abundantly and even cheerfully. In verse four, he emphasizes that we are all members of the body but, as members, we have different functions that serve that body for its benefit.

1 Peter 4:10-11

10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

Peter tells us that we should use our gifts to serve others as “faithful stewards of his grace.” I take this to mean the same thing as the parable in that the master gave his servants money and expected them to be faithful stewards of the gold or talents that he gave them. We should use our gifts as if using the power, strength, and support of God so that whatever we do will glorify God and let him be praised through Jesus Christ. In the parable, the master returned and was angry with the servant that hid his money and did nothing with it, calling him a wicked and lazy servant. This shows God’s expectation of the things, concrete or abstract, that he has given to us to use for him.

1 Timothy 4:13-14

13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

Paul wrote to Timothy not to neglect the gifts given to them by the spirit and by the laying of hands of the elders. Like the parable, God expects us to use our talents and not neglect them or hide them like the lazy servant in the parable. Our gifts are expressly given to us to devote ourselves to teaching and evangelizing or, like the previously mentioned scriptures say, to give glory to God or help the body of Christ.

Our gifts are given to us for a reason and it is up to us to know what those gifts are and how to use them. It may be difficult to figure out. We may have to look past what gifts we want to have and see the gifts that we do have, even if they’re minute or not extravagant. Some may be more gifted than others, causing us to want to have those gifts opposed to the ones we have. In the parable, the servants were given different amounts of talents according to their abilities. The two faithful servants used what they had to return to the master and show him what they accomplished. We should do the same.