Dear Friends,
It is strange how a word used in one of Jesus’ parables to describe an article has changed into a human attribute. I refer to ‘talent’. At the time when Jesus was using that word, a talent was a weight for precious metal such as silver. If you could imagine that a worker was paid in small pieces of silver that he never spent but accumulated over twenty years, he would have one probably have about one talent. Naturally, then, there were few who would have such a vast fortune available for their personal use yet Jesus told a parable about a man who owned a number of talents.
When the word ‘talent’ occurs in current usage it has little connection directly with monetary matters because we apply it to skill. Much has been said recently about the death of Cilla Black and her talent for entertaining us. Admittedly her talent brought her wealth but that is the exception rather than the rule. I can think of many cases where people possess talents which have brought them little or no remuneration.
Importantly, ‘talent’ has entered our language because Jesus told a parable concerning a wealthy landowner who distributed talents amongst his three servants then set off on a long journey. Five talents were given to the first servant, two went to the second servant and the third servant received one. Immediately the first and second servants put the money to good use and both managed to double the amount by the time of their master’s return. Sadly the third servant did not act wisely. He buried his master’s money and did not dig it up until the master returned which meant there was no profit to hand over.
Seeing such lack of productivity angered the master. He remonstrated with his servant for not making full use of the talent which could have brought great reward. And what was the servant’s reaction? We can read in Matthew’s Gospel 25:14-30 about it. The servant turned nasty and said it was the master’s fault. He has a wrong view of his master calling him a hard man with no sympathy.
So often it seems that this is how many people deal with God. They say either that God does not listen to us or that God is unconcerned with our fate. When such a line of thought emerges it usually becomes a path of disobedience. If only those people would stop blaming God and put an end to their self-indulgence! Instead let them see the cup is half full with room for more blessings to be added.
Our Art Exhibition will display the talent of many who can draw and paint. What a great gift! Bringing pleasure through using a skill to captures a scene is commendable. Equally, when we host the URC Music Day we can celebrate musical talent. Harvest Festival helps us to acknowledge those who take great pains to produce our food. You can see how, all around us, there are blessings being poured out freely from God.
Each of us has one special talent above all others. It is a talent for bringing people to experience the reality of Jesus Christ. Whatever we do, be it painting, making music, growing crops, making cups of tea, sitting and listening, helping someone to feel that they are valued, we do it because that is a talent given by God to help others to come to know Him through the Gospel story. Enjoy using your talents whatever they are and know that by doing so, you are working for God’s Kingdom.
Your friend and Minister
John