100 Days of HopeSample

Who Is Doing The Most With Their Talents?

The Parable of the Talents has been on my mind recently – I find it interesting that the two servants who receive the most talents are the ones who double their money (in the passage “talent” refers not to an ability, as we use the word today, but to a significant sum of money). The servant who received only one talent was cast out by his master because he took the safe route, burying his money.

What if the situation were reversed, and the “five talent” servant played it safe, and the “one talent” servant boldly doubled his money? We are seeing that exact situation play out today. Jesus tells us that our “objective” is to help those less fortunate. Unfortunately, American households making more than $150,000 per year give only 1.8 percent of after-tax income to charitable causes. That is a lower percentage than households that have been blessed with much less—households making $20,000 per year give 2.5 percent. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; Consumer Expenditure Survey, 2005).

Meanwhile, microfinance clients, many of whom live in extreme poverty with little formal education, are making the most out of their opportunities. They are turning a $100 loan into a business, and in the process raising their standard of living. And guess what else they do? They help others. Their children are more likely to attend school. They hire employees for their businesses. They are more active in the community. And they tithe more. Well done, good and faithful servants!

Prayer: Father, thank you that you have provided each of us with something to give. We pray that we wisely steward your gifts to us.