Use It or Lose It (Matthew 25 - P 64)

Jesus was in his final teaching discourse and was focused on the kingdom of heaven.  He has just told the story about the ten virgins waiting for the bridegroom ... teaching his followers to stay prepared and ready.  Then he began another story ... we have called it "the parable of the talents."  If you know the story ... read it again today ... praying for fresh eyes.

Matthew 25: 14 - 30

A talent was a weight, not a coin.  So the actual value of the talents would depend on the type of coin being handed out - whether copper, gold or silver.  But that is actually not the point of the story, is it?    Some lessons to learn from this little story ... 

1.  God gives according to His wisdom.  We, as human beings, are the ones that begin to compare and decide some gifts are better than others.  God knows what to give ... what abilities and resources, what strengths and capabilities to give to each of his children.  The church in Corinth was having trouble with its members being envious of each other because of certain gifts given. The result seemed to be divisions and conflict within the church.  They were comparing gifts.  In the language of the parable we are studying, one member might say, "Why do I just have two?  She got five.  What's she got that I don't have?  Do you like her better than me?  This isn't fair."  The apostle Paul had to address the problem of comparison, of better/worse thinking, that confronted this new church.  Listen to Paul:

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.   ...  All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives the to each one, just as he determines.   ...   The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and through all its parts are many, they form one body.  So it is with Christ.    ....    Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.  And i the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.  Are all apostles?  Are all prophets?  Are all teachers?  Do all work miracles?  So all have gifts of healing?  Do all speak in tongues?  Do all interpret?  But eagerly desire the greater gifts.  (Paul goes on to describe that 'greater gift' as the exercise of love.)  [from 1 Corinthians 12)

Have you wasted any emotional time and energy wishing you had another person's gifts from God?  Some talent or ability?  Some opportunity?  Do you struggle with feeling less important to the church than people with public gifts?  Do you think you're something, or more important to the church,  because you have been given public gifts?  This little story from Jesus corrects our thinking.  God gives the gifts ... we receive them.  Do you really think you know better than God?  

2.  Gifts are given for use.  They are not like museum displays ... behind glass to be admired by passers by.  What God has given to you ... the abilities, the talents, the financial resources ... they are to be used for the betterment of the kingdom of God.  The issue is not WHAT you have ... the issue is HOW you use it.  Question #1:  What 'talents' do you have from God?  If you are tempted to say, 'nothing' ... you are not being honest with yourself or God.  So go back and ask yourself Question 1 again!  Question #2:  Am I using this gift from God for the betterment of his kingdom?  If not, why not?  Diligence is the desired trait.  And what is the reward for faithful service and use?  More opportunity!  More work!  Why?  Because you were faithful with what was given ... so God will trust you with more.  Think about it ... being trusted by God!

3.  Punishment comes from non-use.  We are told what drove the man in the story to bury his talent was fear.  Was it fear of making a mistake?  That particular fear has held many religious people in bondage for years.  Was it fear of failure?  That fear has left hoards of believers unwilling to risk anything for the Lord.  And the result ... the talent was taken away.  Where does fear stifle you?  God can handle our mistakes and failures. We will have some to be sure.  But they are not the deadly thing ... safety and non-use of spiritual gifts is.  If this little story teaches anything ... it tells us to risk for the kingdom!  

I like the way William Barclay describes this truth:

It tells us that those who are punished are the people who will not try.  The ma with the one talent did not lose his talent; he simply did nothing with it.  Even if he had adventured with it and lost it, it would have been better than to do nothing at all.  It is always a temptation for the one-talent person to say:  'I have so small a talent and I can do so little with it.  It is not worth while to try, for all the contribution I can make,'  The condemnation is for anyone who, having even one talent, will not try to use it, and will not risk it for the common good.

So ... we must understand this truth ... the only way to keep our spiritual gifts ... is to use them up.  We understand this principle in the realm of athletics or music or art.  Do you want to keep and improve your skills?  Then use them ... practice ... continue stretching yourself in your craft.  And growth comes.  

Our homework?  Identify at least one spiritual gift that has been given you by God.  Are you using it for his kingdom?  There is nothing wrong with being a one-talent gal!  There is everything wrong with being a one-talent gal afraid to use her gift.  Our challenge?  Get to work!!