Every Man A Measure

 

Every Man A Measure

St. Matthew 25:15 "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."

Jesus taught many of his teachings in parables. By this, he gave his teachings some degree of depths and at the same time, only the serious minded gave attention to the lessons in the teachings. One such teachings was the parable of the talent.

Parables are stories with deeper meaning. They make lessons taught to be easily understood. This parable in question is one among others about the kingdom of God. God gave gifts or talent or responsibilities to men, what becomes of the talent is up to them. No one is left out in the share of the talent.

"...to every man according to his several ability..."

One is given more than the other. There is no one left out. Whether big or small, every man (man or woman) was (and is) given according to his ability i.e. capacity. We will not be mistaken to say that you are given a measure of gift for a purpose. Who are the people given the talents?

St. Matthew 25:14 "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."

Those given the talents were servants of the man going for a journey. He did not give them the talents as strangers. As servants, they were those who had some degree of familiarity. It will be assumed that as servants, they received instruction as to how to handle affairs. The capacity of each servant was determined. It was on the basis of the Masters familiarity of the capacity of each servant's capacity that talents were given.

"...to every man according to his several ability..."

So a man could have not only one ability. As at this time, inside you could recide ability so the Master give you "...to every man according to his several ability...". The talent was given in proportion to the ability of each man. The Master was not making mistake in the sharing of the talent. Understanding God, the ability was given just as the talent was given. The capacity (ability) to handle the talent came from the teachings and instructions given. 

St. Matthew 25:15 "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."

When the Master gave the talents, he left for a journey. He gave them free hand. They were trained and tested and they needed given free hand to take the talent and teachings received and make profit of what is given. The Master left for the journey expecting profit when he comes back. Take note that the talents given was of varying degrees or amount

"...unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability..."

We all have differing capacity and as a result, different giftings. Now, having known all these, what becomes of the gifts or talents?

St. Matthew 25:16-18 "Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.

And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.

But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money."

Three categories of people portrayed here. (i) Those given five talents (biggest responsibilities or giftings), (ii) those given two talents (bigger responsibilities) and those given (iii) one talent (smaller responsibility). Every man was to decide what becomes of his talent. So what did they do with the talents?

"...he that had received the five talents went and traded ... and made ...other five talents."

He did something that brought more. He traded. Yes, he had the ability to trade. He used his ability and the talent and made profit. No wonder he was given bigger talent, he was able to double the talent.

"... likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two."

Application of skill, gifting and talent brought profit. With effort, he was able to double what was given. We are now seeing results of exerted effort. It is begging to pay off. The gifting, skill and talent is producing result. Will there be failure? It all depends on what was done (or will be done) with the talent.

"...he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money."

This man did nothing with the talent given. What of the gifting and skill he had? What did he do with it? He "...went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.". Thank God he knew that the talent was not his, it belonged to the Master. Thank God he did not waste it in carelessness. With all of this good doing, the same amount given was the same amount he brought back. No increase, no profit. While others doubled theirs, he brought exactly what was given to him. Now we know exactly what they did with their talents. What is the Master's reaction (reward and punishment) for what they did with what they were given?

St. Matthew 25:29-30 "For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

"...Those that made profit were rewarded with shall be given, and he shall have abundance..."

What of the one with no profit?

"...him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: ..."

Now let us come home. As long as you have started a relationship with the Master, a training have started and at a point, a talent will be (or is) given. Will you make profit? 

It is time to begin to take lessons learned seriously. What becomes of us from here is very important. Success or failure starts here. Profit comes from combination of skill, gifting and talent. Putting together the necessary will bring profit. God desires you and I to make profit. How much of profit you make is dependent on what you do with the training, gifting and talent God gave you. 

Romans 12:4-6 "For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;"

There is a slot in God's kingdom for you. Will you bring the desired result? Wake up and do the needful. Take the skill, gifting and talent given to you and make profit for the King of the kingdom. It is time to take your place and do the work God has assigned to you.

Ephesians 4:7 "But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ."

Ephesians 4:11 "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;.."

Ephesians 4:13 "Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:"

It is all so that what Christ Jesus have done for us will not be in vain.

Pray:

Father God, I pray that You continue to guide and show me the way to do Your will. Teach me Your ways so that I will make profit with the grace You have made available for me. I will make profit and You shall be g