Matthew wrote about it. Luke told a similar story. A king goes on a journey for some time, and leaves three of his servants with some gold coins – called talents.
The first servant is given five coins. He invests them, and earns five more. The second servant is given two coins, and also doubles the investment. The third servant, who is given one coin, decides to bury it for safekeeping. A few months later the king returns, and calls his servants. The first servant comes to him and says “Here are your five coins, plus another five I have earned for you”. “Well done!” says the king, “You have been faithful in small matters, and you will be entrusted with much more”. The second servant comes to him and says “Here are your two coins, plus another five I have earned for you”. “Well done!” says the king, “You have been faithful in small matters, and you will be entrusted with much more”. So the third servant comes before the king and says “Here is the coin you have given me, I buried it in fear of losing it, and have now returned it safely”. The king replies to him – “You have not proved trustworthy, and have no place in my kingdom!” and his coin is taken from him, and given to the servant who had five.
So, what are we supposed to make of this parable? The answer becomes clear, with a strange pun on words. As I said above, the gold coins were known as talents, and the parable is in fact referring to our individual abilities (or talents) which the Lord has given us. The message is a simple one – use what you have for the sake of the Lord! There are a few points to be made here:
Firstly, some people are not as talented as others. This, however, does not mean that they have a lesser role to play in Gods plan. What is important is that they provide in accordance with what they have been given. Note that the king was equally pleased with the servant who had gained five coins and the servant who had only gained two, and they were both rewarded equally. If you have many resources, use them for the Lord’s sake. If you have very little, God can still use you to do amazing things.
Secondly, the servant who has kept his talent to himself is cast out of the kingdom. The quantity he had was unimportant – what was important was his mindset. He chose not to use what he had been entrusted with and it was taken from him. Had he tried to use it for the king’s benefit and gained little, he would have remained in the kingdom, and in possession of the talent. Had he invested the talent and lost it, he would’ve had no talent, but be allowed to remain in the kingdom. Either way, he would have ended up with more than what he got in the end. The lesson, at least TRY, in the largest or smallest way possible, to use your single talent for God.
Thirdly, it may be time to ask yourself a few questions. What are your talents? You have at least one! A pair of hands can do great things. A weak voice can reach thousands! All you have has been loaned to you by Him. What will be your response when the King summons you?
So you want to commit your life to the King of Kings? To have your life changed radically and to go though some hectic struggles because you standout from the world? To dance when everything seems to be going wrong because you know God is in control and there is nothing to worry about? Here is a simple and easy way to give yourself whole heartedly to Jesus.
A true story…

