What will be your ability to respond (Response-Ability) to what God has given you to do? Matthew 25:14-30 speaks of a traveling man who gave his servants talents. We often take the word talent to mean skill or money. But here the talent represents differing levels of responsibility. Responsibility for what? Think about it…
According to your Faith
They already had skills. The master is leaving his property in the hands of his servants according to their ability to respond to what he had entrusted to them. One of the three had the greatest ability to respond. He was given the most “responsibility”. Another had a lesser degree, he was given less. One had the least. He was given the least.
The master counted on them to perform according to what? According to their faith! It was not about them believing in some gifting or talent, natural or otherwise. It was having faith, trusting the master, and walking in obedience.
In other words, do what I left for you to do according the level of faith you possess. And trust that I have given all of you levels of responsibility according to your faith…
The Ultimate Plan
The two given more responsibility went to work in obedience. They prospered and increased their master’s holdings. Now let’s look at the one entrusted with the least. Because of the fear of failure, he did not exercise his faith and so, he did nothing. He was irresponsible. In doing nothing, he was unprofitable to the master and disobedient as well.
Now after all the talk about responsibility, do you know what the talents really represent? They represent souls! What do you think God’s ultimate plan consists of? Building a family of redeemed humanity, not a Kingdom’s Got “Talent” contest!
God has given each of us the measure of faith. We are to go forth and increase the Kingdom of God. Not with material things. Not with money. Not with political and world conquest (“You hear that Brain? We’re not called to take over the world!”, says Pinky.) But to increase it with sons and daughters to add to God’s eternal family!
That’s why we should never think to seek our own platform or trust in our own wisdom to figure out God’s will. There is nothing to figure out! Many are seeking to find their purpose. He has already given us our purpose (to share the Gospel – Acts 26:16), our calling (to righteousness, holiness, and purity – 1 Thessalonians 4:7), and our destiny (to live and reign with him together, forever – Revelation 5:10, 22:5).
What God Requires of Us
God does not require our stuff. Jesus called and spoke this parable to fishermen, not CEO’s and orators. What God requires is a willing and obedient child (2 Corinthians 8:12). Because after it’s all said and done, how will YOU respond to God concerning what He has given you?
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6