This Is Your Opportunity

Carpe Diem is a motto that many social influencers live by. They seize the moment/opportunity to capture a video or a picture and turn it around to influence others. Some of you have probably heard of a pyramid scheme that went awry. This parable of the talents could be seen as a pyramid scheme in contemporary times that we are called to seize the moment.

The master has gone to a far country and will return. He has given talents to his servants to trade for him in his absence. These are not abilities. They are, instead, the responsibilities the Lord blesses his people in the light of their abilities and opportunities. So, it is not a ‘talent’ in how we would use the word. It is not a gift, as if we control it. It is not an ability of which we might boast. It is an investment that the Master makes in us, his servants. He wants to be able to rely on us in its use.

In the story, the master entrusts his servants with talents. To one, he gives five talents; to another two, and the last, one talent, each according to their ability. The first two servants immediately put their talents to work, investing and doubling them. The third buries his talent in the ground out of fear; he does not see this as his golden opportunity.

Now, Jesus could have exaggerated a little about the money given to each servant. All the talents would represent something over two million dollars today. Such a large amount was not inconsistent with the immense wealth accumulated by some ancient rulers. However, it is also possible that Jesus chose larger-than-normal figures to show the priceless nature of the privileges that are at stake in serving God. The large numbers show that the stewardship given to us by God is no trivial matter.

So, how do we, as Christians, handle this parable? Let's say it teaches us about “responsibility” and “risk” and how this is your opportunity to be a responsible risk taker for Jesus.

I would say that we shouldn’t bury our talents because they are from God. Talents may be simple or complex, visible or behind the scenes. They take various forms, including speaking, playing an instrument, making pies, teaching, singing, healing, offering hospitality, counseling, administering, and others. Still, they must be done in the spirit of humility and love. Just as the master in the parable entrusted his servants with talents, God entrusts us with our abilities and resources. It's our responsibility to use them wisely and for the glory of God.

The Master gives the talents; the servants use the talents. Wade Burton in Amusing Grace tells about a salesman who appeared to be a born loser. The man was a lousy dresser, could not spell, and used atrocious grammar. However, he was a terrific salesman for an appliance maker. The overall company sales were down, and the chairman of the board posted the following message: "Attention all sales personnel: We will have an important meeting on March 1 at 10:00 a.m., and the subject will be 'How to sell our product.' Be there!" When the salesman received his telegram announcing the meeting, he responded to the chairman with a note. It read, "I ain't got time to come to no meetin'. I just sold 2,000 appliances to customer #13 and I gotta get goin' to ketch #14, where I 'spect to sale at least 4,000 more...." A short time later a second memorandum was sent to all sales people: "Forgit the meetin' called fer March 1. Get out there and ketch all the customers you can and 'spect to make big sales! (The Boss)."

What God expects of us is that we quit talking, speculating, and thinking about the talents he has given to us and do something with them! It may be risky, and occasionally, we may feel foolish as we seek to develop our talents, but God will bless and bring new opportunities for service. Use the Nike motto “Just Do It!” DON'T BURY YOUR OPPORTUNITIES!

The first two servants took risks and put their talents to work, demonstrating faith in their master's trust and ability to multiply what was given to them. They were rewarded for their faith and diligence. We must have the faith to step out and utilize our God-given talents, even if it involves risk.

The most notable is the man who did nothing with his talent but hid it in the ground. I would say Jesus was applying the third servant to the Pharisees. They received the Torah and oral law with great care from their predecessors and, ultimately, from God. They preserved it unchanged. They buried it where ordinary people could not get at it. And they did not use their responsibility well. They wanted a religion without change and without risk. And they are heartily condemned for it. They are worthless servants who will have their prize possession, the law, taken from them and find themselves outside the kingdom, in the darkness.

It can also go wider than the Pharisees: it applies to all who are determined to retain the status quo and to avoid risk and change in their faith—to all who refuse to trade with the responsibilities the Master gives them.

The third servant was condemned for his lack of faith and for not making good use of the opportunity provided. We should not let fear paralyze us but instead, seek to grow and develop the gifts God has given us.

Finally, the master returns and calls the servants to give an account. This reminds us that we will all be held accountable for how we've used our talents and resources. There are some eternal consequences for our decision to bury or not to bury our talents.

The first two servants are praised and rewarded. Both found their opportunities doubled. It is not the quantity of talents that matters. It is how we use them. If we deploy them responsibly, we have the Master’s approval and his renewed and enlarged commission. It is those who will not try who are condemned.

The darker side of the picture is the punishment reserved for the wicked. Let me remind you that wickedness is not merely a matter of gross misconduct. It is also a matter of idleness in the face of the Kingdom’s service opportunities. Hell, it is also for those who do nothing! Unfaithfulness results in a lack of joy, loss of opportunities for kingdom-building, and horror beyond understanding.

The Parable of the Talents teaches us that God calls us to be faithful stewards, to have faith in His provision, and to use our talents for His glory. We must not be paralyzed by fear or inaction but boldly invest in God's kingdom and multiply the blessings He has given us like the first two servants.

Pray for the wisdom, faith, and courage to be good stewards of the talents God has entrusted to us. May we hear His words of approval one day, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful over a few things; I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord." Amen.