Talents Vs Possessions

Matthew 25:14-30 is the Parable of the Talents. For years I got two concepts of the parable wrong. At first I thought it was unfair that the servant who buried the one talent lost it upon the master’s return, and that one talent was given to the one who had ten. My pastor cleared up that misconception when he explained the importance of not burying potential. Today I realized I had another misconception. I thought that the reward for faithfulness was receiving material possessions. I’m sure that is part of the blessing, but there is something else I missed. I’ve associated the word “talent” with treasure for so long, I negated the actual word talent. A talent as in a gift. A couple of weeks ago a sister shared with me that because I had been faithful with the talent God had already given me God would give me more. I looked at her nervously and said that I didn’t think I was ready. Over the course of these past few weeks, new responsibilities have been added to me, and I don’t feel overwhelmed. As people challenge me to do new things in new arenas, I see what this woman spoke into my life. For years I thought my one talent was teaching, and I thank God for the 26 years He has blessed me with my career. However over time, new talents have sprung up. I wrote previously how I discounted the gift of encouragement, but now I recognize it as one of my talents. As I began to operate in that gift, God revealed to me the value of that gift. Serving in two ministries at church helped me to discover more gifts. During a rough season I took a break from everything except teaching, and right when I was ready to return to ministry God called me to write my first book. In the past few weeks I see other gifts developing and challenging me to break out of my comfort zone. According to this parable and to my sister in Christ, because God has found me to be faithful new gifts and talents are chasing me. Not money, but talents that fill me up in ways that money cannot do. I don’t know what is currently on your plate, but I’m wondering if you see it as a blessing or as a curse. Could it be that what is challenging you most is also sharpening your gifts for where God is taking you?