by Wade E Taylor
“For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered to them his goods. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.” Matthew 25:14-15
Notice that these talents relate to our being enabled to function with the Lord in a Kingdom relationship. Therefore, especially at this present time, those who are actively seeking to go beyond their present spiritual experience within the Church are being “lifted” into a Kingdom relationship (sons of God) with the Lord.
To accomplish this, the Lord is making “talents” available to us.
“He gave… talents….” These “talents” are given to us by the Lord as a sovereign impartation, apart from any action on our part (a man traveling into a far country… and delivered His goods). They are a special “enabling” that will release us from the limitations of the natural realm, into our having the potential to function in the higher realms of the spiritual. These “realms” are unlimited, so we can progress as far as we are willing to go.
“He gave… to every man according to his several ability….” These talents have to do with our having both the capacity and ability to become all that the Lord would have us to be and do. No matter where we are in the progression of our spiritual development, it is very important that we receive (to every man according to his several ability) and use these “talents.” There is a stern warning to the one who received his talent, but did not use it.
Talent was given to each according to their capacity or potential – to one, one talent; to another, two talents; to another, five talents. Each of us differs in our created make-up. Some of us are very emotional and expressive, while others are extremely inward. Some are more sensitive than others. We differ because of our family backgrounds, our intellect, and the effects of the environment in which we live.
“After a long time the lord of those servants comes, and reckons with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, you delivered to me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His Lord said to him, Well done, you good and faithful servant: you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter you into the joy of your lord.”
“He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, you delivered to me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter you into the joy of your lord.” Matthew 25:19-23
The one who was given “five talents” returned with ten, and the one who had received “two talents” came back with four. Initially, it would seem that this has to do with quantity, the two becoming four, and the five becoming ten. Instead, the Lord said exactly the same thing to both. He did not say, “much done.” Rather, He said, “well done.” In others words, it is not how much we have, it is what we do with what we have that is important.
“You have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many” (a Millennial Kingdom function). It took the same commitment and effort for the two talents to become four, as for the five talents to become ten. This relates to a spiritual quality (faithfulness) that had been developed within each of those who received these talents.
This “faithfulness” relates to the Millennial Kingdom in operation. First, it refers to our ability to “rule” within us, over the totality of our being, in order to bring us into divine order. Second, then the Kingdom will begin to function through us, to affect others and eventually the world.
The one who had received and kept the “one talent” was rebuked by the Lord. Our being able to increase the number of the talents that we were given relates to our functioning in a cooperative relationship with our Lord. As we grow spiritually, this ability will increase.
Each of us has a certain amount of spiritual capacity or ability (talent), which we feel is never enough. The enemy loves to tell us that we are not spiritual, that we are not good enough nor worthy, and that we will never make it.
“Another parable put He forth to them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.” Matthew 13:31-32
This “seed” (our talent or potential) may be so small that it can hardly be seen. But, if we will accept what we have, and remain faithful, in time, it will become a “tree” (what we have become), into which multitudes of those who are spiritually hungry (birds), will come to receive spiritual food (they will lodge in the branches of our spiritual experience). Again, it is not how much we have (mustard seed), but what we do with what we have, that is important.
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10
At the time when we were saved, we received the gift of salvation, which was freely given to us. Now, we are to grow into spiritual maturity. The Lord has made a way for us to come into the level of spiritual maturity that we are capable of attaining (He gave… talents). Our part is simply to cooperate and obey.
He is the workman; we are the product. He will work through the measure of spiritual capacity (5, 2, or 1 talents) that we have. We are “created in Christ Jesus to good works.” These good works are not necessarily good things, as the Word tells us that “All things work together for good.” This “all things,” includes even “terrible things.” It is not the things in themselves that are important; rather, it is what they accomplish. It may take terrible things to get our attention.
I was walking with a minister in Washington DC. We had parked the car and were walking toward the place where I live. I reached behind me and discovered that my wallet was missing. We had been to a restaurant just before this and I said, “Maybe we ought to go back.” He said, “Let’s look in the car first.” We walked about twenty feet and saw the wallet lying on the sidewalk. How it got out of my pocket, I have no idea. Then I said, “I think the Lord is trying to get our attention.” Immediately, there came a surge of the presence of the Lord, and He began to speak.
“Created… to good works.” These good works are things that the Lord uses to bring about an arrangement that will reveal our need, or the issues that could become a hindrance to His higher purpose for us. For an example, there may be a potential for anger. The Lord can arrange a situation that will allow this anger to surface. Now, because it has been revealed, it can be dealt with.
The Scripture says that no one can come to the Lord, except they have been drawn by the Father. When we become aware of this drawing, if we are wise, we will yield the totality of our being to Him, like clay in the potter’s hands being formed, as He desires.
It may be painful or difficult, and it may happen in ways that we never considered, nor imagined. But, as we walk in these “good works,” choosing to place the totality of our being in the Lord’s hands, He will mold us into His image and likeness.
Those who are satisfied with having a nominal, or a shallow relationship with the Lord, usually have as their goal, “heaven.” But for those who have been enlightened, the goal is the Kingdom. These are being made ready to function in an active, cooperative relationship with Jesus.
Someday, we will be in Heaven, but the Lord is doing something first. He is separating to Himself those who are willing to come apart, so they can respond to the process of preparation, in order to ascend into this higher level of Kingdom relationship with Jesus.
“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife has made herself ready.” Revelation 19:7
May we use wisely the “talent” that our Lord has placed within us, so we will be “ready” in “that day” to receive an invitation to this wedding.