Matthew 25:14-15,
"For the kingdom of heaven is as a
man travelling into a far
country, who called his own
servants, and delivered unto
them his goods. And unto
one he gave five talents, to
another two, and to
another one; to every man
according to his several
ability; and straightway took
his journey."
This morning, this parable of
the talents is still
vital to us as the Lord's
church. The church is
composed of people who have
various gifts, talents,
and abilities that were given
them by God for the use
of His praise in His house and
service. Notice that
the man gave the talents and are
to be used for His
glory and not the user's.
Many people become envious and
covetous of other
men's talents and abilities.
This past weekend, we
conversed with some brethren
about the fact that most
church problems and divisions
occurred over preacher
jealousy. The point of the
parable is NOT how many
talents each man received. The
point is what was done
with what was given. The man
that gained two from his
two talents was told the same
thing (one word difference) by the
master as the one
that gained five from five.
In
fact, I firmly believe that had
the man that was given
one talent gained one talent
more, he would have also
received the same commendation
from the master
as well. Some people say that
they cannot carry a
tune, and they are not
technically accomplished in
singing. If you sing with grace
and melody in your
heart, then you are utilizing
your talent and making
more in the
Lord's kingdom.
Some people say
that they
are not the best speakers and
have not been given the
proper education to bring things
in proper English.
If you preach the Word in season
and out of season
with all longsuffering and
charity, then you are
swinging your sword as a proper
soldier and polishing
that talent and making more in
the Lord's kingdom.
May we ever say how thankful we
are for what the Lord
has given to us, and never
begrudge our brethren and
say to the Master when we give
account, "Lord here is
thy pound." He has given us much
this morning and
much is required
of us.
In Hope,
Bro Philip
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