The Parable of the Talents

Over the last few weeks, I have read a book entitled Letter to the American Church in addition to beginning a book called Dangerous Wonder. To my surprise the two complement each other very well. The main idea that hit me is that God is dangerous, Jesus was dangerous. It is our loss of childlike wonder that has led to the apathy of the American church. As Michael Yaconelli points out in his book, “Jesus was a dangerous man- dangerous to the power structures, dangerous to the church, dangerous to the crowd of people who followed Him. Shouldn’t the followers of Christ also be dangerous?” We should be able to ask any question we have because we are continually seeking him.

Many Christians have read the parable of the talents in Matthew chapter 25. This passage of scripture should haunt us as Christians. Obviously, many of us believe that this passage specifically references money. But most biblical scholars and commentators call us to a deeper examination of this passage. What is a talent? A talent can be defined as money however, Jesus is also referencing our personal and spiritual gifts. If you recall, three men are given talents. “To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one.”  The first two use the talents given to them to multiply what they were given. The third, however, buried the talent. And what are the master’s word to the third? He says, “you wicked and slothful servant.” Ouch! This is an open condemnation to a man failed to steward what was given to him.

This parable has been in my heart for the last few years. I truly believed that it was okay to ignore some of my gifts. If it isn’t the first thing that comes out of me, then who cares? Doesn’t that mean these talents are not as useful? But, one night during a small group this passage was being discussed and I ask, “are we supposed to cultivate everything God has given us?” The answer was a resounding, yes.   

We are commanded by God to steward and multiple everything that God has given us not just those things that are comfortable to us. And we will be held accountable for what we did with our talents and gifts. I for one, do not want to stand before God one day and explain that I buried some of my talents because I didn’t think they mattered. We are supposed to put everything we are out there and fully trust God to do with out talents as He wants; trust that he will love us through our questions, failures, and mistakes. The question is, do we really trust Him?

Having dangerous faith and dangerous wonder is going to cost us something.