I have seen people who have been able to grow, hone and multiply their talents in an unbelievably quick way. I realize now that it is because these people know that their talents are meant to serve others and to serve God who will demand an accountability of our work at the end of it all.
14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servantsc] and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents,d] to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.
16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.“ – Matthew 25:14-18 (ESV)
Why did the last servant who received one talent hide the money underground?
“19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.e] You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’
22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’
24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ “ – Matthew 25:14-25 (ESV)
Well, the servant at least DID NOT LOSE the talent – so what was so bad about hiding it underground?
Here’s the thing: The master clearly expected the servants to work to increase the money – not just to bum around and do whatever they want until the master returns.
A lot of people bury their talents because they want to do things that they believe would make them happy. Today that looks a lot like entertainment – things that would give a dopamine spike – however big or small that chemical spike in our brain could be.
Some people are also to ashamed of their talents – they think that their talent/s are too simple, too common or too few. So they don’t take the time to develop it. They bury it.
Some people are also pressured by peers to bury their talents. Other people dictate their life and direction for them.
But someday, our Lord will come back and ask for an account. Every one of us who buried talents will be found out.
“26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest.
28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’” – Matthew 25:26-28
How do you grow your talents? Realize that your talents are given to you for you to grow and serve others with. That is the first, most critical step. Then do not get distracted by the things of this world – it encourages you to bury your talents and do whatever you want to do.
