In the parable of the talents found in Matthew 25:14-30, I've for the most part, centered on the servants who gained more talents (five and two) in my studies and teaching of this parable. However recently, I've been exposed to the servant who was given the one talent who went and hid his talent (v.18). When the Man who had given the talents returned, two servants explained how they used what they were given, gained more and were then rewarded. But the one who hid his talent expounded on the (perceived harsh) character of the man instead of taking advantage of an opportunity given to him to increase - and ultimately forfeited his reward.
How does this relate to the here and now? Lowest common denominator: We all may not have several and various gifts, talents and abilities. But we all have been given at least one gift, talent or ability. What are you doing with one talent you've been given? Are you increasing and gaining more? Are you using it to be a blessing to someone else? Not only that, how are you responding to the gift, talent or ability that others are sowing into you? Do you feel entitled to it or are you appreciative that someone thought enough to bless you?
This parable, specifically verse 18, has helped me to reconcile the fact that a gift I had given to someone was not used for its intended purpose. Sure, I know that when a gift is given its the other persons right to do whatever they will with the gift. However, I still had to come to terms with the fact that even though the gift was needed and given out of a pure heart, it was not used for its intended purpose but was allowed to lay waste and dormant; not benefiting the receiver at all. The one question that remains to be answered is "why?" Only the receiver is able to answer that (believe me I've asked), but just like the man in the parable, the only answer I got was about me and my (perceived) character.
