The
term talent during the time that Jesus Christ was on Earth
personally ministering was used then for a unit of weight (about 75
pounds), which was also a unit of coinage. This was what the Lord
Jesus was referring to when he narrated the parable of the talents in
Matthew 25:14-30.
In
the parable, “he gave five talents of money – to another two
talents, and to another one talent, each according to his
ability” (vs. 15). The one who received the five talents
went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. So
also, the one with the two talents gained two more. But the man who
received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid
his master’s money. When their master returned after a long time,
each was called to account for what they have done to the talents
they received. The two who gained by trading the money were given a
certificate of appreciation reading, “Well done, good and faithful
servant! You have been faithful with a few things, I will put you in
charge of many things; come and share your master’s happiness”
(vs. 23) On the other hand, the one who received only one talent
reported, ‘Master, I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where
you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed, so
I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground”.
Stated differently, he did not trade or use the talent given to him.
See, he said to his master, “here is what belongs to you” (vs.
24-25). His master replied to him, saying, “You wicked, lazy
servant!” The servant was reprimanded, “You should have put my
money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would
have received it back with interest” (vs. 26-27). The talent was
taken from him and given to the one who traded the talents and gained
ten talents (vs. 28). It is God’s will that we have to use or
invest, or exercise the talent He has given to us according to the
best of our ability.
The
Lord has given talents to men, that they may be better able to honor
and glorify Him. To some He has entrusted wealth like the patriarch
of old, Abraham who was wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold
(Gen. 13:2); to others, special qualifications for service like
administration or leadership or stewardship of kingdom funds and
properties; some the ability to preach and teach with good voice;
to others, extraordinary wisdom like Solomon; some tact and
influence; some with literary talent like the Apostle Paul who
authored thirteen books of the New Testament, and so on and so forth.
Some have five talents, others two, and others one. From the
highest to the lowest each has been entrusted with some gift. These
talents are not our own. They belong to God. He has given them to
us for conscientious use, and He will one day ask for
an account of them.
The
great lesson we are daily to learn is that we are stewards of God’s
gifts – stewards of money, of reason, of intellect, of influence.
As stewards of the Lord’s gifts, we are to trade upon or use, or
exercise these talents, however small they may be.
However
small our talent may appear, we are to use it to the best of our
ability in God’s service, for He has need of it. Thus, he has
given to his disciples the Great Commission to preach and teach the
gospel to all nations (Matt. 28:19-20); and to every creature (Mark
15:15). If it is wisely and conscientiously used, we can bring to
the kingdom of God one soul who also will dedicate his or her powers
to the Master’s service. That soul may win other souls, and thus
one talent, faithfully used, may gain many souls.
This
is how diligent, dedicated and honest professionals like doctors,
lawyers, engineers, etc. will acquire a large circle of patients or
clientele. One healed patient or satisfied client will tell a
relative and a friend; that relative and friend will tell also his
relative and friend, and so on and so forth. In other words, the
principle of networking.
The
networker has to move and work with patience, diligence and honesty,
and render superb service to his clientele. The least is to serve
coffee or give cold water. The more industrious he is and the harder
he works with honesty, the more will be in his net. There is no
substitute for hardwork, diligence and honesty. “Lazy hands make
a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth” (Prov. 10:4 NIV).
Solomon said, “A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding
of the hands to rest – and poverty will come on you like a bandit
and scarcity like an armed man” (Prov. 6:10-11 NIV). He further
said: “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand
before kings; he shall not stand before mean (unknown) men”
(Prov. 22:29 KJV).
This
is my personal experience. I did my best as a diligent and honest
Corporate Secretary of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce &
Industry (DCCCII) for several years. Time came when I got promoted
by a vote of confidence to be President for two years and Chairman of
the Board for a year. When I was President, I dined at Marco Polo
Hotel with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and with U.S. Ambassador
Richardoni, and in 2006, headed a delegation of nineteen Chamber
DCCCII members to Australia sponsored by the Australian government,
for two weeks, which included our former FGBMFI Vice President
Antonio “Tony” dela Cruz, with everything free from plane fare to
hotel accommodation, and with per diem of A$39 per day.
The
latest significant person that I dined with was Vice President
Jejomar Binay when he was our guest of honor in the DCCCII. I was
then the Chairman of the Board. As he entered the function Hall at
Marco Polo Hotel at 12:05 noon, I announced, “let us welcome our
second highest official in our land … then he immediately proceeded
to deliver his speech. This was so far the shortest introduction of
a guest of honor I ever made in my whole lifetime. After his speech,
the EMCEE asked me, what shall we do with our program? I told her,
never mind, disregard it. Let us eat. Then it was time for the
closing remarks. We ate at about 12:45 noon.
If
we use the money or talent entrusted to us by God to expand His
kingdom, we will receive a certificate of appreciation from Him, and
gain more money and improve our God-given talents. The talent is not
necessarily money but spiritual gifts, like the ability to testify
very interestingly or in writing which in the end will bless others
and thereby receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Let us
remember that “we are God’s fellow workers” (1 Cor. 3:9), and
this is the reason He has given us some talents, may be five, two or
only one.
The
Lord will use all who will give themselves to be used. But He
requires heart service. When the heart is given to
God, our talents, our energy, our possessions, all we have and are,
will be devoted to His service with gladness. To serve the King of
Kings is the best achievement in life. (FGBMFI Davao City Chapter
Bulletin, April 21, 2012)
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