But the parable catches us too. Christ wasn't as concerned about money as he was the servants. The talents he told about symbolize our abilities and our natural gifts. Talents such as the ability to sing a solo or to paint a picture are included, but equally important are the small talents which, when added together and used properly, actually become the most dynamic. If we aren't steward of these. their potential will be lost.
What does it mean to be a steward? It implies being included in the management of God's estate. We become God's stewards immediately after we become his children. As God's stewards it's inconsistent to believe we own anything, for he owns us. Do you think it selfish of God to claim ultimate ownership of all we possess?
God didn't institute stewardship for his own sake. Milo Kaiuffman writes: "Christian stewardship inevitably will result in enrichment in life. The greatest value of Christian stewardship is what it does for the individual. When Jesus told the rich young ruler to sell what he had and give to the poor, it wasn't the money that Jesus was especially interested in, it was the young man. It was the rich ruler that Jesus loved, not his possessions.
"Christian stewardship frees us from the tyranny of things, and helps us to a life of freedom and joy through the contribution of self, time, talents, and money to the advancement of the kingdom of Christ...Christian stewardship helps make God real to us. Thinking of God as the owner of our lives, our time, our talent, and our possessions helps us to think of him as a living personality."
To be God's stewards we must first know what we are to be stewards of. Of course we are stewards of all God has given us : love, good health, good family, good friends, good home, good looks, education, talent, influence, social leadership, popularity, business ability, wages, income, material possessions.
And yet, isn't each of us responsible to and use our special "talents"? This requires utmost honesty. yet it's necessary. "What if I do with ardor what a thousand could, maybe/and leave undone forever what was only meant for me?
Feeling of incompetence often keep us from venturing our in areas in which we don't feel secure. Why do we let feeling of incompetence limit us? Where would helen Keller be if she has said, "I can't"?
Isn't it an insult to our Creator if we don't even recognize the gifts he gives us? If we sincerely believe we are made in God's image, we are bound to find strength and ability. Is our God too small, or can we let him use his creativity by letting it flow through us? If we become convinces that we must out ourselves to use, the results may surprise us.
E. Stanley Jones says, "It cannot be insistent too much that abundant living mean abundant giving...Just as you would smother yourself to death if you only breathed in and refused to breathe out, so if you are not outgoing, the whole process of incoming will stop, and you will die spiritually, mentally, and physically. If a cow isn't milked, it will go dry. If you aren't giving out to to others, you, too, will go dry in spirit"
The visible church couldn't exist unless people were willing to contribute their talents and abilities. Such actions not only strengthen the church but also the individual involved. Working and praying together will bind Christ church closer to him. Joseph Murray writes, "The more you do, the more you'll be asked to do. That is the blessed penalty for willingness. The more you do, the more you'll be bale to do. That is the blessed law of effort. The more you do, the more it will mean to you. That is the blessed promise of reward in the Master's service. They know him best who serve him most."
Those serving in the church program should never do it as a duty. but because they want to serve God. In a Sunday morning message, Victor Sawatsky referred to the Parable of the talents. He compared the hiding of the talents to the individual who refuses to take any any office in the church because he is afraid of becoming involved. The key word, he said, is "afraid". Some women won't teach a class because they're afraid of making mistakes and of having people laugh at them. They are afraid of saying the wrong things and offending someone, afraid of opposition in any office. In other words, they are afraid to take upon themselves the self-discipline involved in holding in church.
Love for Christ, he continued, is the highest motive for service and the greatest force for faithfulness. He concluded. "We should give our best talent to the office\ce, however small it may be. May we give of ourselves in living service to Christ and overcome our fear of becoming involved."
Since we've been created in the image of our Creator, we too should be creating - not only art and music, but also joy, understanding, and love. A mature steward will change privileges into responsibilities. May our prayer be that God will guide us to a life of greater stewardship of the abilities he has given us.
by Lois Bartel
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