The infamous story of the talents is always the example I think of when I reflect on responsibility. This story has four characters: the master and the three servants. The master gives each servant a particular number of talents according to his ability. A talent is equal to 20 years of wages.
The first and second servants double each of their talents and the master is pleased with each one, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master,” (Matthew 25:21). Not only is the master pleased, He gives them more to be responsible over and allows them to enter into his joy.
On the other hand, the third servant is truck with fear (Matthew 25:25) and hides his talent in the ground. He only received one talent, this demonstrates the master’s wisdom in distributing the talents. The servant did nothing with the talent and when the master returned, he called him a “wicked and slothful servant,” (Matthew 25:26).
The only reason this servant didn’t act was because of fear. Fear binds us. We cannot function properly when we are in fear because our focus is distorted. We can only see clearly when we hope in Christ and have full confidence in Him. God doesn’t want us to be like the third servant. He wants us to use and grow what He has given us. This looks different for every person because gifts from God vary. Everyone is expected to use what God has given them.
