In the 25th chapter of the Gospel according to Saint Matthew a man gave to three of his servants some talents. To the first he gave 10 talents and went his way. To the second he gave 5 talents and departed. To the third he gave a single talent. The Master was gone for a long time and on his return he examined the results of each of the 3 servants. The one who had been given 10 talents gained 10 more and was blessed of his master. To the one to whom he had given 5 talents, he was pleased that that servant had gained 5 more talents and was rewarded accordingly.
The servant to whom the master had given a single talent the master was very dissatisfied. The servant instead of using the talent he had been given, hid the talent he had been given and from it came no increase. The master took what that servant had been given and gave it to another.
What is Jesus telling us? Whatever we have been given, whatever ability or talent we are to use for the glory of God. God wants to bless us on our journey and as we use what He has given us to His glory, He will indeed bless us. Unfortunately, many hid their talent in the sand and say “let someone else do it.” That is not pleasing to God. We may not be as talented as someone else but that is not what is important. What is important is what we do with what He has given us. God is not looking for perfection but for obedience.
I remember several years ago at the Mt. Nebo gospel sing an elderly woman got up to sing a song. Many fine quartets were there and the music was great. They had sound tracks or bands backing them and it was most enjoyable. The elderly lady had none of that. She was on her own. She didn’t have a sound track and no band to help her. She sang His Eye is on the Sparrow”. I can’t tell you what anyone else sang but even though her voice wasn’t as smooth as many, she wasn’t singing to show her ability, she was just using what she had and was singing to God. Her performance was anointed of God and I will never forget what I saw and heard that night.
When God steps in and anoints what is going on makes all the difference in the world. It is not the entertainment value but the spiritual impact that is important. Just do your best and let God do the rest.
Maranatha!