Entrusted with Talents
In reading through the Gospels, a familiar passage mentioning Judas Iscariot jumped out, particularly the verse John 12:6. The Gospel writer notes specifically and directly that Judas, who would later betray Jesus to the chief priests, pilfered from the money box in his care. That fact alone glimpses at our Lord’s character. Not many of us would knowingly let a thief hold our money, but that is what Jesus did.
Did, and does.
You see, the tick marks appeared on this measuring stick when I considered Judas’ office as treasurer alongside the parable of the talents. Matthew 25:14-30 records Jesus’ story of a master’s dealings with his slaves. Before leaving on a long journey, the master entrusts his slaves each with talents – a monetary unit worth about fifteen years worth of wages – leaving them with five, two, and one respectively. When he returns, he rewards the slaves who invested and grew the talents and punishes the slave who buried the master’s property in the ground.
The message is clear: the Lord expects the talents, gifts, and blessings that He gives us to be put to use serving Him. He distributes the talents and allows us the choice of whether to heed His calling. He knows that entrusting us with His property will require us to make choices whether to invest in His purposes or our own.
As for me, He even handed me a measuring stick calibrated for John 3:30: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” It is for keeping God’s interests ahead of my own and its form is a question to ask myself, not just once but as often as needs be: am I a thief holding His money?
