Matthew 25:14-30
Today we have a parable spoken by Jesus that many of us have heard many times. The Parable of the Ten Talents. Jesus tells us the master of a property gives three servants differing amounts of coins. One he gives 10, one five and one just one. When the master returns from his long journey he expects for the servants to have invested and grown that money. Two have done what the master expected but the one who was given only one, buried his coin so that he would not lose what the master had given him.
What do we take from this? It seems fairly obvious that we could use the slogan “use it or lose it?” So many of us look at this in the sense of only money but could Jesus actually be referring to something even more profound? Could He be wanting us to go deeper than just the superficial?
There might be many things that God in Christ is telling us but for today let’s assume that He could be referring to our knowledge of God. When I was in college I took two years of Italian and I have even taken some courses as an adult but sadly today I know very little Italian. Why is that? I could offer excuses like not a great memory; the classes were boring but none of these would suffice. The more I get away from learning this beautiful language the more I forget what I was once aware of. To the point that I can be aware that the language of Italian exists, but I could not hope to understand it.
When we first come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior, God does not want that to be the end of the story. In obedience we are to grow in our faith. This is why we are given the “helper” in the form of the Holy Spirit. To grow in our faith means to actively pursue the knowledge of God. Too many in today’s world come down an aisle, say a prayer, get baptized and mistakenly believe that is all that God wants for them. This is the beginning of your journey, never the end!
Just like the master who gave out talents to his servants, God gives to us as well. He expects a return on that investment into our lives and souls. To have no desire and make no effort to grow in your faith and understanding of God is to tell God: “I am content with knowing about you, but I don’t really want to learn about you.” This is like me knowing that Italian exists but that’s it. What good is that?
Maybe you have been content to just “know” of God. Let today be the day that you decide to be like the two servants who were given ten and five talents, who were obedient to the master and when He returned, they had doubled what was given. God is not just calling you to know Him but also to grow in Him. If we don’t grow, then what good is our faith? Even the demons know of God and believe who He is. Let this be a warning to you and I that the Master expects a return on His investment.
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