In Matthew 25, Jesus tells the parable of the talents. I have read this parable many times before, but like all parables, it is alive with revelations. What struck me was that the talents were given “according to each one’s ability.”
I love the definition of accountability as “giving account of your ability.” It also makes me cringe a bit when I take stock of just how unaccountable I have been with my abilities.
In this parable, and I believe in life, God gives us “talents.” But He gives them according to our abilities! That means the Lord knows us, and the abilities and gifts we have are all God-given. The master knew what each of these men was capable of doing with the talents that they had been given.
In my mind, I see the first two as truly desiring to please the master; perhaps they were grateful to be entrusted with the talents. I don’t sense in them the fear that the last one had. He saw his master as a harsh man, one to be afraid of. And it caused him to hide what was given to him. “There is no fear in love.” 1 John 4:18
I wonder if this third man was unaware, like so many of us, of the many promises of God. He gives according to the abilities that He has blessed us with. “He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” Eph 3:20
Jesus, what have you entrusted us with? What are you looking to do in us and through us that is greater than we can even imagine, because you are working in us?
~ Susan Kewin
Christ Fellowship