Scripture Reading: Matthew 25:14-30
The particular teaching of this parable is not the same as that of the parable of the virgins. That was the duty of preparation; this is the duty of working — using one’s powers and capacities. Every one of us has received a talent or talents, some portion of our Lord’s goods. The Master has gone away, leaving us to use what of His He has entrusted to us until He returns. Then we shall have to give account to Him. It is not a voluntary matter with us, nor is it a matter of indifference, whether we will be Christ’s servants or not. Christ is the rightful Lord of every man. Declining to accept Him and to enter His service does not exempt anyone from the responsibility.
When the lord of these servants went away, he left his property in the hands of his upper servants as stewards or trustees. He “delivered unto them his goods.” Perhaps we do not realize how entirely Christ has entrusted His affairs and His interests in this world to His followers. This puts a serious responsibility on us. If the gospel is to get to men, we must proclaim it. If the work of the Church is to be done, we must do it. The only hands Christ has for work in this world are our hands. If the sorrowing are to receive comfort, we must give it. If the world is to see the beauty — the gentleness, the patience, the compassion, the helpfulness — of God, we must be the interpreters of these Divine affections. Christ has delivered His goods to us.
We notice also that in the distribution of talents the same is not given to all. “Unto one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to every man according to his several ability” Each person received what he was able to care for. This principle is observed in all Divine endowments. No one has duties allotted to him which he has not the ability to perform. Nothing impossible is ever asked of any person. Men differ in their ability to manage their Lord’s affairs, and the talents given into their hands vary accordingly. The merchant does not take the man with capacity only for lifting heavy bales and put him in the counting-room — he makes him a porter. When a woman wants a fine dress made, she does not give the costly materials to a washer woman, a hairdresser, or to a teacher of German or music, but to a skillful dressmaker. Our Master gives each particular disciple the duties he has ability to do. We need never say, therefore, that we cannot do the things that seem to be required of us. We can do whatever we are given by our Master to do. He makes no mistakes in the allotment of tasks.
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