OUR FIRST CALLING...

I remember sitting in a Sunday service once and the speaker was preaching from Matthew 25:14 of which he liked to call “the parable of the dollars”. I liked the practical way in which he approached the story of the talents but as he spoke it wasn’t money that I was seeing but souls!

Matthew 25:14 is a parable told by Jesus about a Master that was going away on a long journey. He had three servants. He gave five talents to one, two to another and one talent to the third. Upon his return the servant with five talents had doubled his, the servant with two had doubled his too but the servant with one talent accused his master of being ‘a harsh and hard man , reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you have not winnowed’ (amplified version v 24). So he had buried his talent and returned it with no gain. This third servant was described as a wicked and lazy and was thrown out into the darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth and his talent was given to the man with ten talents.

What does this mean?
Let us put this parable into context. What is it really talking about? I don’t disagree that there are lessons to be learnt in terms of the financial gains of investing wisely and using our God given talents to the max as we will be held accountable for it. However there is a deeper meaning here that is often ignored. Genesis 1:28 says ‘God blessed them and said to them “be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living that moves on the ground.”’
This is often quoted as man’s first commission-{Challenge: Do you agree with this?}. In this case let me challenge you by declaring that this parable and this verse from Genesis 1 are not primarily about us but about winning souls for Christ.
Exploring the Parable of the Talents
In Matthew 24:1-3 the disciples had come up to Jesus to privately ask what will be the signs of His coming and of the end of the age. This parable is part of that conversation because Matthew 25:1 starts with ‘At that time the Kingdom of heaven will be like…’ and it goes into the parable of the ten virgins. Verse 14 starts with ‘Again it will be like…’ (NIV) or ‘For it is like…’. Parables are earthly stories with heavenly meanings. Look at where these parables have appeared. The parable of the ten virgins is advising us to be vigilant because we do not know the day or the hour (Matthew 25:13). In the amplified version it says ‘watch therefore [give strict attention and be cautious and active], for you know neither the day nor the hour the Son of Man will come.’ With the parable of the talents also beginning with again or for it is like – this tells us that firstly we need to be vigilant, attentive, cautious and active.
Also after telling the parable, Jesus continues the conversation about when the Son of Man comes (Matthew 25:31), about the separation of the Sheep from the Goats and goes on into Matthew 26: 1-2 about the Son of Man being handed over to be crucified. This is where the conversation actually ends. {Challenge: Is this a hint?}

Winning souls and the winning soul
Jesus was telling this parable to His disciples privately. He was preparing them for what was about to happen and what they ought to be doing. Jesus knew that the time had come when He would be arrested (Matthew 26:1-2); He knew that He would be going away on a long journey (Matthew 25:14 and 25:5). He knew He would be back (Matthew 24, 25:6, 19) and at a time that we would perhaps least expect Him (Matthew 24:44, 25:10); He knew that when He comes back His agenda will be about settling accounts with us (Matthew 25: 19, 31-33) i.e. judgement. Therefore He was advising His disciples (including you and me) not to be caught unawares like the foolish virgins who took their lamps without taking any oil with them – whose lamp is snuffed out (Proverbs13:8). {Challenge: Are you living a vigilant, attentive, cautious and active life for Christ at present? Is your light shining brightly like the righteous in proverbs 13:8? What plans or preparations have you or do you need to put in place to ensure that it keeps shining till the bridegroom arrives?}

Jesus also knows that He has distributed talent ‘each according to his own ability’ (Matthew 25:15). Ephesians 4:6-11 supports this in its description of the unity of the body. Verse 7 states that ‘But to each one of us grace as been given as Christ apportioned it. {Challenge: Do yourself a favour the next time you become aware of a fellow believer acting in a manner inappropriate to a believer – Stop! before you remove the speck of dust from their eyes and please do not copy them especially since you know ‘better’. You do not know what grace has bee apportioned to them i.e. where they are coming from and neither do you know how God will treat that person or yourself as a result of the same sin. Rather consider prayerfully, lovingly rebuke and encourage them in Lord}. The bible says in this Ephesians passage that Jesus gave these gifts to men, some to be apostles, some to be evangelists, some to be pastors and teachers. So He is aware of our weaknesses and strength but does this mean that we are too weak to do anything?
The man with ten talents could perhaps be described as the outgoing, confident, intelligent, highly organised individual we see today. He perhaps is very successful and has won many souls into the kingdom through his ministry and people warm to him. Winning souls is easy for him. In contrast the servant with one talent is quite the opposite; he may be fearful and not as eloquent as the servant with ten talents. However he knew his master (he was a Christian too) and therefore knew what his master required of him, yet he went and buried his talent. He hid it away from the world. He did not even attempt to do anything with it. {Challenge: Do you know your Master and what He requires of you?}

So what are the key things we should learn from this?

A survival guide for One Talenters +++
Starting with one talent is not easy. God knows that and He is with you every step of the way. How do we know this? – Just look at some biblical characters:
- Joseph was not the most skilled of his brothers (he did not go out to tend sheep or do the normal manly chores as his brothers) yet he went from being a slave to being head of Portiphar’s house to being a prisoner then head of prisoners and ultimately not only the ruler of Egypt but a key point of contact for the continuation of the promise as Jacob and his family were struck by the famine.
- Moses went from a runaway that is slow of speech and tongue to the rescuer of his people and the deliverer of God’s laws.
- David went from a shepherd boy that was the least of his brothers to the defeater of Goliath, also the most successful warrior king and an author of the book of Psalms.

Recognise your goal: We are all called to win souls increase in number all three servants knew their master, knew this and had a choice of following his will or not. Proverbs 11:30 says ‘The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise’. In John 15:16 Jesus said ‘You did not choose me but I chose and appointed you go out and bear fruit – fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name’.

Use your talent(s) faithfully: We are called to be faithful by using our God given talents, opportunities, circumstances, know-how, personalities and basically whatever we have to win souls. We need to make the most of every opportunity (Ephesians 5:15-17) – this must have been what the ten talent guy and the two talent guy did to double theirs. Note how faithful some biblical characters were at each point in their journey. David had the fear of God and served Saul faithfully despite having been already been anointed as King and Saul’s sourness towards him. Joseph could have used Potiphar’s wife as a career advance. The third servant despite knowing his master’s wishes perhaps was even bitter that he was comparably given less. Yet he failed to use the opportunity to double his talent and show that he was capable of being in charge of more. You see when we do not nurture that which we have already how can we really grow? Some of us are naturally talented in certain areas; others have to learn those skills. However a dedicated learner that puts their learning to practice can also become an expert in that area because their frequent use of a skill makes it become a habit/ second nature and forms part of their character. Once they have mastered those skills the exposure it gives them enables them to be able to identify an area of growth of which they recognise and start to develop new skills in order to meet the new needs and as such their territory enlarges.

So you may say that it is easy for these guys they had it all to start with if I had what they have I could probably do the same and more - but really you do not know where they started from. Also let us not forget that grace has been apportioned accordingly and much is expected of him who has been given more. How can you expect to be given more when you cannot even manage the little you have been blessed with?

Admit your weaknesses: Our weaknesses sometimes plague us, torment us and give us a low self esteem. Our weaknesses tell us that we can’t. It can make us think that perhaps we should hide away/ sit back in the safety that we know God and leave someone else to do the work. As we know from this parable – this is a dangerous strategy. Jesus calls us ‘the light of the world…neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. They put it on its stand and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven’ (Matthew 5:14-16). He may not take your weaknesses away but His power is made perfect in them and His grace is sufficient for you (2 Corinthians 12:9). Paul said that he will boast more gladly about his weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on him.

Ask for wisdom: He gives it freely (James 1:5). Proverbs 20:18 advices us to make plans by seeking advice and obtain guidance if we wage war. The battle for souls is an ongoing war that we could use the benefit of experience. I sincerely believe that the man with one talent could have at least sought advice from the men with five and two talents. Perhaps he could have had them manage his talents on his behalf if that was his weakness. He would have learnt a thing or two about growing his talent. In practical terms this may mean for you and I that if we are shy or recognise a weakness we have in an area where we have been placed responsible, perhaps we could surround ourselves with people of experience to learn from them? In the case of winning souls why not invite someone to church or introduce them to that active soul winning brother/ sister in Christ to help bring them into the Kingdom. Take them to Christian activities, buy/ borrow books for them, give leaflets or recommend access to web materials and other sources that may help them. Try and meet them at a point in need and teach them how to pray – you never know at least you would have planted a seed and keep praying that that seed would grow and bear fruit. This takes me to the next point.

We should not tire: God is worth the wait and these people are worth saving. Galatians 6:9 encourages us not to become weary of doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. This should be our attitude. We have to constantly be an example to those we are trying to win over. Of course we are still prone to mistakes but how we acknowledge and handle that makes us an example to them because they will be watching us. This is because the minute you start talking to someone about their life you are putting your self on a pedestal and they will observe how you live yours. If they see that the life you live is no different to that of non-Christians, tell me why should they change?

So watch your doctrines: 1Timothy 1:3 reminds us that God’s work is by faith. Be careful that you are living in accordance with the bible. You can only know this by studying it yourself and praying for wisdom and understanding from the LORD. We are being placed in a position of responsibility and that is why we have to ensure that we do not lead people astray but live truthfully. The life we are called to as Christians is in opposition to the ‘ME’ culture of this world that is why to the world we might look and sound foolish.

Finally submit your life to Christ: Not everyone may be called to give up everything and go into full time ministry but everyone is called to minister full time. 1 Corinthians 10:31 tells us that whatever we do we should do it all for the glory of God. In the examples of Moses, Joseph and David we can see how they lived their lives full time in the LORD. So your work is not an excuse it is another avenue for reaching and being an example to people that may not have the opportunity of knowing a Christian and getting to meet Christ. Likewise our hobbies and other activities in our life are opportunities too.
{Challenge: so what is your first commission? Are you prepared to take on this challenge?} Forget about your abilities for His power is made perfect in our weakness, your willingness and obedience counts more than your abilities, Look at Moses – even today he is recognised by the Jews and the Muslims as a great prophet. He was willing and he obeyed – he stood before a king like Pharaoh to speak yet he was neither eloquent and he was slow to speech and tongue (Exodus 4:10 - 16).
Remember: what makes heaven rejoice? - When one sinner repents even more so than ninety-nine righteous persons that do not need to (Luke 15: 7, 10). The bible says that when we seek first His kingdom and His righteousness EVERY thing we need will be given to us (Matthew 6:33). He who wins souls is wise (Proverbs 11:30).

Prayer
Lord bless us with the wisdom and ability to use our resources faithfully to cause heaven to rejoice by winning souls into your kingdom. Give us a heart of compassion, a willing spirit and a love that will fill us with the determination and dedication required to do this In Jesus name we pray. Amen

With Love...