Thoughts for the Day

Jesus said, ‘A man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, “Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, “Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents." His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, “Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.” But his master replied, “You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

I have used the Parable of the Talents dozens of times as the basis for a sermon, or all-age activity, for many years. After pointing out that the 'talent' was actually a weight and depending on what it was made from it could be quite valuable, I have reminded congregations that God gives us gifts (often things we're good at!); and He expects us to use them for the good of others as well as for His Church. I have given out £1 coins and asked them to see if they could use the gifts God had given them to create more money for charity. I have also given our tubes of sweets and asked people to eat the sweets before using their talents to make some money to fill the tube.

The results were often quite spectacular. Some had put their money together, bought ingredients and made sweets, marmalade, or cakes to sell. Others made Christmas cards to sell. One enterprising child had negotiated with her parents for some card with her money, then drew bookmarks, before selling these to friends, and doing the same again.

However, this parable has something else to say. God doesn't just give us some gifts all in one go, instead He gives us gifts at different times for ourselves and to help others. As we age they can change, but it's a case of "Use them or lose them!" The sin is not to use them, no matter our age! Notice, the reward in the parable is to do more work!*

* I am producing a reading of 'Pilgrim's Progress' with multiple participants today, and next Sunday!

Father-God,
You give each one of us gifts,
for our own good,
and especially for the good of others.
Your Son, Jesus, taught us that we are
to use these or they will be taken from us.
May we learn from the Parable of the Talents
to continue using them in different ways
throughout our life.
Amen.