Matthew 25 is a chapter that relates the kingdom of heaven to several different parables. The parable I want to focus on for this reflection is the parable of the talents. You can find the parable written in the next paragraph.
Matthew 25:14-30 KJV
“[14] For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. [15] And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. [16] Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. [17] And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. [18] But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. [19] After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. [20] And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. [21] His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. [22] He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. [23] His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. [24] Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: [25] And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. [26] His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: [27] Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. [28] Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. [29] For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. [30] And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. …”
I decided to replace the word “talent” with the word “people.” Talents back in the Biblical era were money, but we can apply this parable to our time with talents meaning our gifts and skills and abilities. People who are recruited to be actors and artists are also called talents. Therefore I tried to read the parable again with talents meaning people.
I imagined that the servants in the parable were entrusted with people, and that the people were under the servants’ care and the servants needed to train and grow these people in the knowledge and ways of the master. Once trained, these people then went and found other people and trained them as well. Thus, because each of his five people trained another person, the first servant ended up with ten people ready to be servants for the master.
I imagined the same thing with the second servant who was entrusted with two talents. He trained the two and gained two more, making a total of four servants.
The last servant “hid” the talent; in other words, did not enlighten his person about the wonderful opportunities of serving the master. The servant did not feel the need to do anything with the talent and did not grow his abilities, leaving the talent in the exact same shape as he was when given to him.
Obviously the master was pleased to see that two of his servants could be trusted to carry out his will. They were not afraid to do something with the things entrusted to them, unlike the last servant.
I started to wonder what I would do if I were in their shoes. Would I be excited to train someone in the knowledge of the master? Or would I miss the opportunity to witness to someone because of fear?
Our Great Commission as Christians is to go out into the world and teach people about Jesus (Matthew 28:19,20). God, our Master, has entrusted us, his servants, to multiply his disciples and tell them the wonderful Gospel of Jesus Christ. There are many ways we can share the good news. Some people do evangelism, others do Bible studies, some have music ministry, others are in the medical field or in nutrition… the list is endless! But for some reason, I feel like the secret standard for successfully creating a new disciple is by bringing someone to church and having them get baptized. I have not yet invited anyone to come attend our church; how much more influenced someone to be baptized. I also noticed that I’m afraid to admit that I’m a Seventh Day Adventist and I always generalize my faith and say I’m just a Christian.
Reading Matthew 25 has made me even more afraid to be afraid of sharing my faith! But now is not the time to shut down and hide, especially with the second coming of Christ being closer everyday. I can’t sit back and hide and waste my talents. There are still people out there who have not been introduced to Jesus. God has entrusted me with this work and I need to do something about it.
I also realized that it would never be about MY works that would create a disciple. I just have to do my best and the Holy Spirit will be the one to grow the seeds I plant. I just pray that God continues to give me courage to share my faith and not be afraid to talk about it with others.
I think... 