Wellspring Sunday: Investing your talents
The Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30 is one of Jesus' most direct lessons on managing what we’ve been given. On the surface, it looks like a call to handle our resources wisely. But look deeper, and it’s about more than just money. It’s about everything—our traits, talents, treasures, tools, testimony, and time.
A master heads out on a journey, leaving his servants with different amounts of "talents"—money. One gets five, another two, the last one. The first two invested and doubled what they had. The third? He’s scared, so he buries it. When the master returns, he praises the first two and gives them more responsibility. The third is reprimanded for doing nothing and loses everything.
Those "talents" represent all we’ve got—our traits, talents, treasures, tools, testimony, and time. The parable confronts us with whether we’re making the most of what we’ve been given or coasting through life, letting fear or laziness win.
We all have traits—our personalities, temperaments, and natural inclinations. They shape how we move through the world. The servant with five talents embraced what he had, worked it, and made it more. The third servant? He’s the guy who ignores who he is, playing it safe and living below his potential. Stewarding your traits means owning who you are, flaws and all, and working to be the best version of yourself to be of the greatest service.
Closely tied to our traits are our talents—our God-given abilities. Whether you’re an artist, a thinker, or an athlete, these talents aren’t meant to sit idle. The first two servants didn’t just sit on their talents; they put them to work, saw them grow, and reaped the rewards. But the third one? He didn’t even try. The lesson is clear: when we fail to develop our talents, we miss out on the opportunity to make a real contribution to the world.
Our talents often lead us to treasures—resources beyond financial wealth. Treasures include our possessions, opportunities, and privileges. The way we manage these reflects what we truly value. The parable pushes us to use our treasures wisely, to invest them in ways that matter, and to avoid hoarding or using them selfishly. Failing to do so doesn’t just hurt us; it limits the impact we could have had on others.
Alongside our treasures are the tools we have at our disposal—the technologies, systems, and resources that help us achieve our goals. In today’s world, these tools are crucial. They’re what enable us to work smarter, not harder. The parable reminds us that we’re meant to be resourceful, to use these tools to their fullest potential, and to create value wherever we can. Neglecting our tools or using them ineffectively only diminishes our impact.
Beyond the physical, there’s our testimony—our personal experiences, stories of faith, and lessons we’ve learned. Sharing this testimony is powerful; it’s how we inspire and encourage others. The first two servants didn’t just keep their gains to themselves—they let them grow, impacting others around them. The third servant, by contrast, kept everything hidden, missing the chance to make a difference. Stewarding our testimony means being open and vulnerable and using our experiences to help others.
And then there’s time—the most precious resource of all. How we spend it reflects our true priorities. The parable pushes us to invest our time wisely, knowing that it’s limited and should be used to create value, serve others, and fulfill our purpose. The first two servants used their time to multiply what they had, while the third wasted his in fear and inaction. Stewarding our time means being intentional about every moment, making sure it counts.
The parable doesn’t just tell us what to do; it shows us the consequences. The servants who invested their talents were rewarded with more, symbolizing the growth and fulfillment that come from holistic stewardship. But the third servant? He faced judgment for his inaction, representing the stagnation and regret that resulted from neglecting his responsibilities.
This lesson isn’t just about avoiding failure; it’s about embracing the fullness of life. When we invest in every aspect of our being—our traits, talents, treasures, tools, testimony, and time—we create a rich, balanced, and purposeful life. Conversely, when we neglect these areas, we limit our potential and miss life's opportunities.
The Parable of the Talents is a call to own every part of your life. It’s about taking responsibility, investing in your growth, and using your gifts for something bigger than yourself. Each choice is an opportunity to grow, to serve, and to fulfill the potential God has given you. By doing so, you honor the trust placed in you and prepare yourself for the greater responsibilities and rewards that lie ahead, both in this life and beyond.