Talent: The Gift We Give Back to God

 By: Joanne Viola

 

“Talent” has been defined as “a special natural ability or aptitude” (dictionary.com). We have each been entrusted with a talent, or two. Some have several talents, some have one. Some talents are visible to many, and some are hidden only to be seen by God.

“For it is just like a man about to go on a journey,
who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them.
To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one,
each according to his own ability;
and he went on his journey.”
(Matthew 25:14-15, NASB)

In the parable as told by Jesus, each of the slaves did something different with what had been entrusted to them.

Upon the master’s return, the one who had been entrusted five talents had gained five talents more to return back to his master.The one who had been entrusted two talents did likewise, gaining two talents more. The one who had received one talent had a different response:

“And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said,
‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow
and gathering where you scattered no seed.
And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground.
See, you have what is yours.’ “
(Matthew 25:24-26, NASB)

This slave returned to his master exactly what he had been given. He did not utilize what had been given him. He made no investment, he merely protected what had been given.

God has dispersed talents to each of us by His wisdom and grace, not wanting to overburden or overwhelm any of us. He knows just how much we are able to do and gives us only what we are able to handle.

With those talents, God will give to each of us opportunities to use them over the course of our lives; for what we do with these abilities is our gift back to Him.

May we not hide or bury our talents but use them to enrich the lives of those around us. When our talents are well used, we make Jesus known to others, bringing Him glory and honor.

“Our lives are like the talents in the parable of the three stewards. It is something that has been given to us for the time being and we have the opportunity and privilege of doing our best with this precious gift.”

(George Vaillant)

Talents and abilities – the precious gifts we give back to God.
May we use them wisely.

 

Reflection:
Do you think you are using your talents and gifts to the best of your ability? What is holding you back from making full use of your abilities?

 

Image by Comfreak from Pixabay