Luke 19: 11-26 talks about the parable of the talents. In this parable, Christ tells the story of a King who gave ten servants, ten talents each. When it was time to give an account of how well they used the talents, the first servant had earned ten more talents for the King, and the second servant had earned five more talents. Their achievements pleased the King and both servants received an immediate reward. However, the third servant did not earn any talent, instead he buried his talent to keep it safe whilst knowing that the King expected to receive an interest. In response, the King admonished him and ordered that his talent be given to the first servant who had ten talents. Those around objected the King’s decision because the first servant had enough talents. Why give him what he already had in excess and take away from the servant who only had one? They protested. To which the King responded ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away’ Luke 19: 26.
To understand what this passage means, let’s take a look at this parable in a similar context:
A manager of a Sales company has given three of his team leads the same target. Each employee is required to sign up a new client at the end of a thirty-day period. In order to enable them achieve this target, the manager also gave them a list of potential contacts and other resources to deliver on the target. When the thirty-day period was up, the manager sent for the three employees to provide feedback on the outcome and rate their performance. The first employee says to the manager ‘Sir, a month ago, you gave me a target to sign up one customer from the list of potentials and I have delivered on this target. But not only did I sign up one customer, I saw our figures and believe that the company could do with having more customers on board, so here’s a total of ten customers who I engaged and have shown interest’. Of course, the manager is very pleased and immediately rewards the employee. The second employee also gives similar feedback and signs on five customers, and he also receives a reward. However, the third employee says to the manager ‘Sir, I know you gave me a list of potential customers to sign up one, however, I reached out to a few but I guess it wasn’t the right timing as they all declined. Alas, I was afraid of the constant rejection so I kept the list away’. The manager is disappointed and furious with the underperformance of this employee. Not only does he reprimand him and offers no reward, he chooses to take the list of potential clients that was given to him and gives it to the first employee who has proven to himself as a top performer and capable of achieving results. The goal of every manager is to grow his business. If you’re a manager and have a high performer on your team, of course you’re going to keep rewarding him and equipping him with responsibilities because you know he is capable of achieving results and adding more value to your business. in contrast, you will probably offer no reward and if possible terminate the services of someone not meeting expectations.
Similarly, this is the same as the Kingdom of God. God desires to grow His kingdom and has created each and every one of us with a unique gift or talent for the advancement of His kingdom. Just like the King in the parable and Manager is the example above, one day, we’ll come before Him to give an account of how well we used our gifts for the purpose it was intended. We should also take a cue from the life of Jesus, though some circumstances were difficult for Him, He chose above all else to do the will of His Father. The ultimate purpose for which He came to earth was to die for our sins and similarly all of us on earth have been put here for a unique purpose. Our purpose is definitely not as great a calling as Christ, but it is still to be used for the advancement of the Kingdom of God. It also differs – we don’t all have to stand on the pulpit, minister in the choir etc. some of us may be called at our place of work, school, or even home. We shouldn’t make the mistake of expecting something so grand probably to boost our ego that we end up missing the mark. The ultimate focus should be to do will of the One who created you and had a purpose for your life, because one day He’ll ask you to give an account to Him. If you’re not sure what your purpose is, ask the Lord to reveal it to you and pray for His will to be done in your life and I guarantee that the Lord will answer your prayer because above all else He desires His will for our life to be done that is why it says in 1 John 5:14-15 “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him”.
Once we know the will of God for our life, it is important to take the next steps and direction from the Holy Spirit, who is our guide. Whatever God has called you to, know that He has also fully equipped you for it, even though it may not look like it in the moment. Remember to always lean on Him. Place your absolute trust in Him, His leading and His guidance and you will have a fulfilling life now and, receive His divine reward in the world, to come just like the faithful and fruitful servants in the parable.
