Top Ten Principles about Talents
Introduction-
A hot headed woman told the famous Protestant Reformer, John Wesley, "My talent is to speak my mind." Mr. Wesley replied, "Woman, God wouldn't care a bit if you would bury that talent."
As we'll learn today, there is very little that should be buried in our life except sin.
Today we read the well known Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), however this is somewhat rare because of the unique characteristics of the Orthodox Church lectionary. I'll spare you the details.
We can learn several principles from Jesus' teaching in the Parable of the Talents.
First, this Parable, and many before it in the Gospel of Matthew, make references to the Kingdom of Heaven is like, or will be, or shall be compared to (v.1). These stories are illustrating the qualities and characteristics of heaven. Yet, they are not just referring to a future kingdom but a potential kingdom that can exist here and now.
Second, what is a talent (to talanto, ta talanta)? A Greek coin with a value of 5,000 - 6,000 denarii (denari = Roman silver coin equivalent to a days wages of a common laborer). Thus one talent = 15 years wages of a laborer. It obviously represents property, money and material wealth.
However, Lev Gillet writes in the Year of the Grace of the Lord, "The goods which the master entrust to his servants signify all the natural gifts granted by God to his creatures: health, intelligence, riches, etc. All these exist through God and for God; we are no more than keepers charged with administering these divine assets. But the talents signify, above all, the supernatural gifts, the communication of divine life to men and the graces with which we are showered at every instant."
Third, everyone is given at least one talent (v.14-15) so we should never think or belief that God our Master has forgotten about us and didn't give us even one single gift for Christmas.
Fourth, God has given more gifts to some than others each according to his or her ability (v.15). We should not be looking at other people's talents and wishing we could have theirs, nor should we be judging others because we have more talents. God has given us exactly what we need and certainly no more than we can handle.
Fifth, we are expected to be productive and use our talents to multiply them (v.16-17). If we want to have more gifts and talents, we must use the one(s) God has entrusted to us. Trading and investing money to build assets involves risk. Employing and sharing our gifts and talents also implies risk that we may suffer loss or rejection or persecution in doing God?s work. If we want to really play it safe, we'll go and bury our talent, taking no risk at all.
Sixth, at some point in the future we must give an account for what's been placed in our care. What did we do with our gift and talent and what did we do with the fruits or proceeds that it brought forth? I think this describes our death, our departure from this life. We will not take any of the possessions with us. At that point they will be returned to the master. However, this accounting happens whenever we are asked to give to someone in need or some organization or cause, the Church included, that helps other people. Will be like the persons with ten talents and the two talents and willingly give everything to its rightful owner, the one who needs it most (v.20,22)?
Seventh, joy in this life comes from good management and good stewardship. If know how to discipline yourself to be productive and to share, even and especially with the smallest gift, determines if we'll be entrusted with more talents and gifts. Entering into the joy of our master implies that our heart is already in a condition of joy, free from possessiveness and laziness. (v.21,23)
Eighth, our perception and attitude towards God affects how we live. Do we see God has someone harsh and ruthless or has generous and loving? Are you afraid of God so that you life is inhibited and stilted as opposed to courageously fulfilling your potential? (v.24-25)
Ninth, idleness and laziness (v.26) imply a self-centeredness that is wasteful of God?s gifts (v.27). When Jesus says, "Take the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents." (v.28) and "For to everyone who has will more be given and He will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away." (v.29), He is saying that our wicked, slothful attitudes will cause us to want to consume and possess more, to be jealous and covet more. On the other hand, generosity and productiveness give us satisfaction and fulfillment, contentment and peace.
Tenth, in managing what God has given us, our productiveness (or lack thereof) will affect our salvation, our eternal standing with God. Outer darkness is in opposition to the "joy of your Master."
Conclusion- Think very carefully about what God has given you. He has given everything that you have. Now think about how you're managing it. Think of your baptismal robe/garment/outfit that signified your new life in Christ. It?' probably in a box, in a closet buried under many other boxes collecting dust. Is your faith in God, including the ethics, morals and values that He teaches through the Church, also buried somewhere collecting dust? Or are you putting on the robe of righteousness and faith and trust in God everyday, going out and sharing it and producing more faith, more trust and more righteousness making His Kingdom on earth ever present and more powerful?
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