THAT'S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR

That’s What Friends Are For

Matthew 25:14-30

When asked to preach on the parable of the talents in Matthew 25, I was happy to do it.  I like to teach.  Teaching brings me life, and our congregation seems to benefit.  If I was to try to fit my gift of teaching into the parable of the talents, I would say that it is a “two talent” gift that God has entrusted to me.

If you remember this parable, a wealthy Master went away, but not before He entrusted some of His wealth to three of His servants.  To the first He gave five talents, to the second two talents, and to the third one talent.  On His return there was an accounting.  The servant who had been given five talents had invested them and gained five more.  Likewise the servant who had been given two talents had invested them, and gained two more.  Both were commended for their faithfulness in how they handled the Master’s wealth.  The generous Master gave them even more – there was a joyous welcome home party.  The servant who had been given one talent, however, had buried it in the ground.  The Master was not pleased.

Here is where my friend comes in.  Last week over dinner he asked me, “So Gary, are you still writing your blog?”  I provided several good excuses, like “I’m not really a very good writer.  I don’t think it has made much of an impact.  I think I have said everything I really wanted to say.”  It all sounded valid to me at the time, but during my sermon preparation time those lame excuses came back to haunt me.  I realized that I was playing the part of the “one talent” servant.  So, here I am taking up blogging again, convicted by my own sermon before I’ve even preached it.

So, how about you?  Have you buried a talent that God has given you?  All God asks for is faithfulness on our part to invest what He has given us: be that talent a gift to speak or write, an ability in art or music, strength to serve others, or finances that can be given to help fund a ministry.  I’m praying that God will bring a friend along to remind you about your buried talent, and that you will dig it up, dust it off, and put it to work in God’s Kingdom.  That’s what friends are for.