The Parable of the Talents

Met with a brother this morning and we looked at the parable of the talents starting in Matthew 25:14. ( In ancient usage a talent was a weight of silver or gold of approximately 75 pounds or 34 kilos) A property owner gives various sums of money ( five talents, two talents, one talent) to his servants according to their ability. The first two engage in business ( put the talents to use) and make equivalent amounts with it. The last hides his in the ground. When one examines this through the lense of 1 John 2:3, "And by this we know that we have come to know him ( Jesus) if we obey his commandments." (ESV), it appears that the first two servants truly know their master and what he wants and do it. The third thinks that he knows the master buty as the parable unfolds it becomes clear that he has a distorted image. The first two servants are commended for putting their talents to use ( Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your master.) The third is excoriated and punished. Even though he received the least amount of wealth to work with, he was still supposed to put it to use. I doubt that most believers are wealthy financially but we all have been given some talent or knowledge or ability. We need to use that to bless our brothers and sisters, and to minister to those who are perishing. "For the preaching of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God." ( 1 Corinthians 1:18) Am I, are you using the gifts and talents that God has given you for His purposes? If we look at your life as a car, who is driving? Do we want to drive ( do what we want to do) and tell God to sit in the passenger seat? Or are we willing to give Him the keys and let Him take us where He wants to go? Or are we trying to get into the driver's seat with Him and grab the wheel?