It's Not About Us

“Contrary to what many think, it really isn’t all about us.” “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. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord’” (Matt. 25:14–23). The word talent here, taken the Greek tlenai, means “to bear” or “a unit of value.” Knowing this, one can truly understand this passage with the depth Jesus intended. You see, Jesus was, I believe, referring to Himself as the man who left and went off to a far country, and we are those He refers to as the ones left behind with “units of value.” If this is the case, each one of us is left with the responsibility of making use of those “units of value.” In addition, we see the importance the Lord places upon them and how He will respond to each of us upon His return. So, what is your “unit of value?” How much has the Lord left you to steward in His absence? I believe the proper response, or possibly a better question, would be: “What are you doing with what the Lord has left you?” for the amount truly does not matter. What matters is what you are doing with what you have. To each one of us there truly does befall a responsibility to take action, to pull our heads from the sand and take those “units of value” and do something with them, anything other than burying them. Many tend to think once they receive their ticket to eternity they can simply sit on the train of life until it arrives at the predetermined destination, and while, yes, this may be sufficient, is this what we are called to do? The answer, of course, is, absolutely and unequivocally, “No!” It is my opinion those who work hard for the kingdom and every “unit of value” will be honored and blessed for their faithfulness. Oh, by the way, just what is a “unit of value?” Is it a person, one who is lost and seeking the truth, or is it possibly someone in need of instruction in the ways of the Lord? Is it gifts? What do you think? For the answer, I believe we need look to the purpose of Christ. What did He focus His attention on while He was on this earth? Who or what did He place great value upon? I’ll let each one of us decide what we will do or how we will respond to this passage and these thoughts; however, I will leave you with this question, “What is your unit of value, and what are you doing with it?” Oh, by the way, you are more valuable than anything else in this world; after all, He valued you enough to give all for you! † Father, I pray each one of us would do all we can to increase and care for the “units of value” You have entrusted to us until Your return. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.