Last week we talked about parables of Jesus in our Vacation Bible School. The first day we studied the parable of the talents, and our focus was on using the abilities God has given us. Children need that lesson, but so do we adults. I hate to think about the opportunities I have missed or the abilities I haven’t used over the years. It makes me sad to think about how things might have been different had I used my abilities to their fullest and had looked for opportunities to teach and to better serve.
In the parable, there were three servants who were given the opportunity to do great things for their master. The man given five talents increased his to ten; the man given two talents increased his to four; but the man given one talent buried his. When the master returned for an accounting, he found one of his servants lacking. That servant who buried his talent was condemned for his inaction. He protected the property of the master, but he lacked the initiative to be productive.
Initiative, according to the dictionary means “the ability to assess and initiate things independently” or “ the power or opportunity to act or take charge before others do.” It can also mean “an act or strategy intended to resolve a difficulty or improve a situation; a fresh approach to something.” The one-talent man did not use his opportunity to resolve a problem or to improve his situation, while the other servants sought ways to increase the talents given them. In return, their master was pleased with their efforts and rewarded them.
Some might argue that this man protected the money the master gave him. He was able to return what was given to him without taking the risk of losing it. Those things are true, but he had the same opportunity as the others to increase his talents and be eligible for the rewards available. Because he did not take advantage of those opportunities, he was condemned.
The meaning to this parable is simple. Use the time, money, abilities, and opportunities God has given us to serve Him. Our rewards may not be easily recognizable on earth, but God promises they will be available in heaven.
Consider this story. There once was a young man who approached the father of the girl he wanted to marry. He asked the father for the girl’s hand in marriage. The father agreed, but only if he could catch one of the bulls on his farm. The farmer set up three bulls in the chute and stationed the young man at the exit point. The father sent the first bull down the chute. He was scrawny and slow, but the young man didn’t see him as much of a challenge and decided to wait for the next one. The second bull came through the chute, and the young man started to grab the bull by the tail, but he was much bigger and was snorting and vicious looking. He decided he would wait for the third one. Knowing this was his last opportunity, he positioned himself to grab the bull’s tail, pull him to the ground, and win his true love. The farmer sent the third bull down the chute, and the young man reached for the tail only to discover it was a bob-tail bull. The challenge was lost, and the young man lost the girl.
We sometimes miss opportunities because we don’t think they are important enough. We sometimes fail to use our abilities because we don’t recognize them as abilities, or we make excuses because we are unwilling to take the time. We are often too busy to even recognize ways we could benefit the Lord and His work.
James, the earthly brother of Jesus, gives us warnings about worldliness. He includes a number of issues, one of which is boasting about tomorrow—what we are going to do, making plans without God in the picture. In James 4:17 he says, “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” This applies to everything we do (or fail to do). The next time you are tempted to ignore an opportunity or you are tempted to refuse to use an ability God has given you, think about the bob-tail bull. Think about James’ warning. Understand that when you fail to do good, it is sin.
Sandra Oliver