Matthew 25:14-29
“14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, 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 and faithful servant. 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.”
We were sitting in a meeting trying to get some semblance of schedule formed with our contact mid-Saturday morning. And next you know, amazing words of wisdom are flowing from the pastor’s mouth. Words about investing in relationships; be that time or money. He stressed the talents parable. The men who invested received not only that amount back, but also an added return.
The following day, I joined a Catholic friend of mine to Mass. I had most of the words and hand symbols in my back pocket from past times I visited the church, but unfortunately there was a combination of Spanish and also a change in the liturgy that made me look a fool. (They say “and with your spirit” now, did you know that? When did that happen? Now I butcher liturgy in 2 languages.)
Anyway, the message that the priest spoke upon was, you guessed it, the parable of the talents. It’s like God is trying to tell me something. I think perhaps I am the person with one talent. I have been given the gifts of time and money to invest. But I save it out of fear. What if all I do it lose it in the investment? It’s better to just keep what I have for me. I have to look out for myself and be a good steward right?
But truly, that is where faith comes in. I need to realize that with every investment there is a risk, and I need to count it worthy. Because how can I spend my life hording my talents in fear. I need to believe that what His word says is true, and that if I sow in faith, I will reap. I don’t have to keep my little talent because if I share, God will provide the return, double fold.
One day we were in the small village of Tomaiquichua, and believe me, I wanted to be in bed instead. We have work long and hard, and I was so close to skipping out on ministry. But, I knew better. And I went to the village to spread the gospel and invest in the relationship with my youth leaders at the church. While we were passing one house heading up a hill, a woman invited us in. She was a Christian also and wanted to bless us. So she made us fried potatoes and homemade coffee. We sat on her couch and talked as her chicken hopped up between us. I pet the little guy’s head until he fell asleep. After the meal, I led a prayer over her home in Spanish and we hit the road again. That experience seemed so simple, but it was refreshing. I only had one talent. I only said yes and showed up. And God doubled it.
Just imagine what doubling five talents will look like. I look forward to finding out.
