In "The Parable of the Talents," Jesus taught a vivid lesson. Matthew 25:14-30 (New International Reader’s Version) states:
“Here is what the Kingdom of Heaven will be like. A man was going on a journey. He sent for his servants and put them in charge of his property. He gave $10,000 to one. He gave $4,000 to another. And he gave $2,000 to the third. The man gave each servant the amount of money he knew the servant could take care of [...]. The servant who had received the $10,000 went at once and put his money to work. He earned $10,000 more. The one with the $4,000 earned $4,000 more. But the man who had received $2,000 went and dug a hole in the ground. He hid his master's money in it."
This parable leaves no room for confusion. Jesus wanted to make it clear that the Kingdom of God is about productivity and growth. God — like the Master in the parable — assigns each of us an allotment according to our ability. That is, our ability to produce for Him. Notice, the parable did not illustrate that the Master "gave each servant the amount of money the servant asked for." It reads, "The man gave each servant the amount of money he knew the servant could take care of." Also, it is fascinating to observe that the Master did not initially give the most productive servant $20,000 ("10 talents" in the New King James translation). Rather, the Master increased the servant as he proved his ability to profitably manage what he initially had. Furthermore, the Scripture states that the most fruitful servant "went at once" and put his allotment to work. Yet so many of us spend years, decades, and lifetimes maintaining or burying the things God has assigned us.
God doesn’t show favoritism.
He invests in people who deliver for Him.
People commonly look at others with envy — and even resentment. They ask, "Lord, why do you keep giving them so much? What about me?" The answer to those inquiries is, yet, another question: What have you done with what you already have?
Written by: Marsha DuCille - Publisher/Editorial Director
publisher @ calledmagazine.com
