Roy Behling  

BURYING YOUR TALENTS

"So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you." - Matthew 25:25 (NIV)

Through the years I have heard many preach on the Parable of the Talents. If we look at the parable only in terms of money, it is hard to understand why the master was so angry at the servant who hid his talent. After all, the servant didn't lose the money. However, this is a parable, so perhaps we should look at the "talent' in a broader sense.

Scholars say the term "talent" was first used for a unit of weight (about 75 pounds), then for a unit of coinage (worth more than a thousand dollars in today's terms). The present-day use of "talent" to indicate an ability or gift is derived from this parable. This latter is the definition we use when we talk about stewardship being giving of our time, talents and treasure. Talents in this context is our God-given gifts and abilities.

Certainly, God does not want us to "bury" or hide our talents when we can use our God-given gifts for furthering His kingdom no matter how small they seem. God can magnify any small talent into something wonderful.

Dear Lord, thank You for the gifts and talents You have given me. May I put them to good use to Your glory. In the name of our Lord and Savior, Amen.