One line I've used to justify my inaction is: "If only I had "this," then I could do "that." If only I had more time, I'd volunteer to help my neighbor. If only I had more money, I'd give to my neighbor. If only I had more talent, I'd write a novel for my neighbor — maybe I haven't said those exact words, but the sentiment was there.
For someone who doesn't like math, I surely am interested in quantifying that which has been allotted to me.
This is the place I was in life the last time I read the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), where the Master entrusts the first servant with five talents, the second with two, and the third with one. Of course, here "talents" refers to a large monetary unit, but the lesson can be applied to the other kind of talent, as well.
The first servant earns five additional talents, the second earns two, while the third buries it — earning nothing more.
Here's the part that struck me then and continues to strike me now. When the master comes home, he rewards the first two servants the same. He says to both of them, "Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master."
You mean the amount I started off with doesn't matter?
You mean I don't need to worry about quantifying what I possess?
All I need to concentrate on is doing something with what I hold in my hands? And then I will enter into the joy of my Master?
Oh, I like that ... a lot. No more pressure to measure up. What I have is enough. Who cares if I don't have five talents? I have my precious two.
For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 25:29-30 ESV).
No, Lord! Don't let me be that person. Therefore, I gratefully and joyfully accept my two talents and will do something with them — right now and for every day You afford me.
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