A Buried Talent In The Ground

Good morning and welcome to Our Daily Walk.

Audio version at http://tinyurl.com/2zgcv5

A few years ago I was watching a group of teenage boys deep in discussion. The topic was sports and the discussion was about how the coach and players could have done differently so as to have won the previous night’s game. From the conversation it was evident that these boys not only knew about the game, but they were also very adamant about their own personal views.

A little while later I approached one of the boys and asked him if he would be willing to talk to his friends about coming to church. He responded, “No, I don’t think so. I’m not very good talking with others.”

To me he seemed to be very good in speaking to others. He was able to present his views, listen to others, reason, judge and make conclusions. He clearly had an ability to do so, but was reluctant with my request.

I suspect that he felt less at ease in speaking about Jesus and the church than he did in speaking about the ballgame. Many people fall into that category.

Jesus tells the parable of three men who each had abilities, but at differing levels. This story is found in Matthew 25:14-30. Jesus said in verses 14-19:

For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord's money.

Now the boss in this situation recognized that these three men had differing abilities, yet he gave each of them a responsibility that was on the level with their own ability. The one with five talents was able to double his investment and returned ten talents to the master. The one with two talents did the same and returned four talents to the master. The first one did far more than the second, but each did according to what was expected of them.

With responsibility comes accountability. Sadly, the one talent man for fear of the master decided to hide his money instead of using it as was expected. After praising the other two for their fine work, the master turns to the one talent man in verses 24-30.

Then he who had received the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.' "But his lord answered and said to him, 'You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. 'For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

What a disappointment that man must have been to the master. Although he was not as talented as the other two, he clearly had an ability to be trusted with a great sum of money. His ability, if properly used, could have resulted in an increase in his stewardship and praise from his master.

Instead, he allowed fear to overcome his actions and he was left in worse shape than when he began. He may as well have buried his abilities in the ground along with that money. Neither was put to good use.

On Our Daily Walk today, may we understand that God looks to use us for His service in our lives. May we understand that God has confidence that we can accomplish these things for Him. May we be emboldened by His command and set about to do all that we are able to do.

Our thought for the day: “When opportunity knocks, you still have to get up and answer the door.”

May God bless you on your daily walk.

© Our Daily Walk, Mike Baker, 2007. Permission is granted to copy these articles provided they are not sold and the author's name and copyright are included.