I Give it Back

Several months ago I was at my weekly LOGOS youth orchestra rehearsal. Right before we begin rehearsal our director, Mr. Nickols always gives a devotional to give us something to think about for the week. He read the parable of the talents in Matthew 25: 14-30. The story is laid out as follows:



~14- For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who calleth 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 recieved 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 geside them five talents more.

21- His lord said unto him, Well done, though food 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.~



A pretty dramatic representation of the point being made; but sufficiently getting that point across. Here's what I got from it:

The lord in the story, obviously represents God. The servants, us. The talents can be symbolic for (no pun intended none taken I'm sure) our given talents in life, like art, music, sports, &etc.

In the parable the lord gave each of his servants different amounts of talents. To one, five, the next, two, and the last one, one. The three servants then proceed to do different things with their talents.

The first servant got his five talents, and by some kind of trade he made double. The next one did the same, and doubled his. But, the last servant took his single talent, and for fear of losing it and making his master angry, went and buried it in the ground.

Ok let's pause... In our Christian life God gives each of us different talents to use, and different levels of those talents to differing individuals. This is represented by the differing number of talents given to each servant. The first two servants took their talents, and worked and made more out of what they had. The last, however, didn't do anything with his except bury it in the ground.

Here we can be compared to the responses given by the 3 servants. The first two servants (with five and two talents respectively) didn't just keep and do nothing with what they had in contrast to the first servant. They excelled far and beyond and doubled the value.

Kids often quit instruments after the first couple years of playing. I'm not saying that every instrument is for everybody; that would be a lie. Me for example on a tuba would prove disasterous. Anyways off the point; but some quit not because they CAN'T play, but because they WON'T play- not the same diff. A bit superfluous, but... this is like Mozart quitting piano because he didn't feel like playing. So many people in the world could use their talents in wonderful ways for the work of God if they just took the time to develop it!

First question: why don't they? Two main reasons provide an answer to this question: fear or laziness. In verses 24-25 the slothful servant expresses both of these. First of all, out of fear that he would not be able to please his master, he hid the talent. Us as believers may have abilities that we know we have, but out of fear that it will not be worthwhile in the longrun or we will not have the ability to develop the ability (kinda the same diff).

On the other hand, God gave individuals gifts specially for a reason, did He not? To use for His glory to the BEST of our ability. God is not a "hard man" that we cannot please... all He asks for is our best.

Which, by the way, we can't give if we are lazy. This is the second problem being disproved of by the master in verse 26. In verse 27 the Lord says if he had given the money to the exchangers and just gotten interest on the single talent even that would have been adequate. Unfortunately, that was not done. The talent was buried.

Application wise, are we burying our talents and gifts and not developing them like we should for the Lord?

Now, a second question: why should someone strive for the top notch development? We should, because once again, He gave them to us to be used later in life. Also, don't forget why we are on this earth- to bring glory to God. We are showing an unthankful spirit and not giving back to God what is rightfully His in the first place, and giving Him the best that He deserves as our Saviour.

Consequences are unfortunately part of the cause/effect if we are not good stewards of the gifts given to us, illustrated in verses 29-30. When you, yes you, stand before God one day, will you be bearing a woeful account only to hear "thou wicked and slothful servant" from your God? We all are accountable for our stewardship.

On the flipside, when you stand before God will His words be "Well done, thou good and faithful servant" like it was to the faithful servants in the parable? God promises to bless us and give us honorable lordship over so much more if all we do is obey to the best of our ability and be good stewards of what He has given to us.

In closing, (as I often like to do=) I'd like to include lyrics that relate to the situation from yet another Wilds song:


All of my talent, all of my time,
All of my treasure shall never be mine;
All that I am, all I shall be,
Lord, You gave it to me.
I give it back to You.

My lips will sing your praise,
All things come from You.
You are the only source for the good I do.
I will be Your servant, though You've set me free;
Master and Creator, You'll be Lord to me.

All of my talent, all of my time,
All of my treasure shall never be mine;
All that I am, all I shall be,
Lord, You gave it to me.
I give it back to You.

Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages for Thee;
Take my silver and my gold,
Not a mite would I withhold,
Not a mite would I withhold.

All of my talent, all of my time,
All of my treasure shall never be mine;
All that I am, all I shall be,
Lord, You gave it to me.
I give it back to You,
To You.


Piece, =)

~chris~