Tell Me the Stories of JesusSýnishorn

When English translations refer to the unit of investment as a talent, our ears immediately jump to talent as in human ability. Countless messages have been preached encouraging Christians in the English-speaking world to be good stewards of the talents and abilities that God has given us. That mandate is most assuredly true, and we are going to be judged concerning the stewardship of our talents and abilities to the glory of God. But, in this case, the word “talent” is merely a transliteration of the original Greek talanton, which usually refers to a unit of measure, but can correspond to a unit of currency.

So, Jesus was actually talking about money in the parable of the talents in Matthew 25. But what was his point? Surely, Jesus was not advising his followers concerning market investments. No, that is not the point of the parable.

We know that this parable is about the kingdom of heaven, and it is told in the context of Jesus’ warning that his coming will be unexpected and sudden when it happens. Like the servants who were held to account as soon as this man returned from his journey, Jesus will demand a report from His church.

Read rightly, this parable must be about our proper stewardship of opportunities for the kingdom. Though our human ability or giftedness is not the point of the parable, our human opportunity to make an increase in God’s kingdom is very much the issue at stake. Every one of us has been given an opportunity to help build the kingdom of heaven in the service of our Lord Jesus Christ. Every single one of us has been invested with opportunity, even as the Lord judges our ability to fulfill that calling. We must make the most of the opportunities God has given us to invest our abilities and resources for the kingdom of heaven until Jesus returns.

Prayer

Father, please help me to be a good steward of the opportunities I have to advance your kingdom. I want to fulfill the calling you’ve given me. Amen.