Benjamin Franklin once said; "Hide not your talents. They for use were made. What's a sundial in the shade?" The reading is about how we should use the things that God gives us.
We know that God is generous. A talent in Jesus' time was a valuable sum of money worth about two years' wages. We see from this parable that God is generous giving, say, £200,000 to the first servant, £80,000 to the second and £40,000 to the third. Think of the many blessings that God has given you. Life, family, friends, a home, possessions, health, freedom, abilities, energy, etc... and Last Sunday we gave thanks for the freedom that was secured through the sacrifice of many people including those who died and suffered through two world wars and the seventy other conflicts since.
Also, God gives every believer at least one special gift to serve the body of believers. Do you know what that gift is? You might be better asking a fellow Christian who knows you they will be able to tell you what that gift is. And with our gifts and talents comes responsibility; God expects us to use properly what is loaned to us. Everything you and I have is on loan from God. We can't take it with us when we die! God expects us to use what he has entrusted to us for His glory, to further His ways. To help the poor, sick, oppressed, homeless, imprisoned, persecuted. To grow in our knowledge and trust of God and to share this with others. To put it another way we are the face of Christ and the church in whatever we do and where ever we are. We are the faces of Christ in our workplaces, homes, leisure activities, church, school, shops, in our communities.
We need to realise that this parable teaches that we have a responsibility to make our salvation visible and secure by using the gifts that God gives. This will involve us taking risks, stepping out in faith, relying upon God and the gifts that He gives. It will involve some or many failures. The person who hasn't failed has never really tried.
It is said that Thomas Edison performed 50,000 experiments before he succeeded in producing a storage battery. We might assume the inventor would have had some serious doubts along the way. But when asked if he ever became discouraged working so long without results, Edison replied, "Results? Why, I know 50,000 things that won't work."
We have been entrusted with this beautiful church, all the people in the parish and each other. We are all the face of Christ and of the Church. It is not just up to Bruce, Robert, Melanie and Kim its up to all of us to share the good news of Christ to those outside in the community. To make sure that this Church stays open and is fit for purpose for years to come. To make sure that this building meets the needs of the people even if it feels uncomfortable or daunting. We are the body of Christ and of the Church. And if God is for us who can be against us? Don’t answer that one! Anyone visiting the sick at home or in hospital, or lends a hand or takes on a job for someone, represents the Church, Jesus himself. It’s not just the job for the vicar or the curates. It’s not just up to individuals it’s up to all of us.
For like the third servant condemned by his master for doing nothing, so too will we. The servant had not given a second thought to even cautiously investing what had been entrusted to him for a guaranteed but small return. He just played it safe. This parable is a challenge to all who are complacent in their faith, thinking that they are 'safe' yet failing to live the life that God requires of them.
In the service of God there is one ability that is the greatest ability of all. It is not sociability, compatibility, accountability, adaptability, or reliability? Is availability! If we are not available to God, no matter what other kind of ability we have, it is no good. Ability without availability is a liability.
And that means to place one's self totally, absolutely, completely at God's disposal for Him to do anything and everything He wants to do in, through, with and for us, when He chooses. Anything less than that is putting restrictions on God and writing fine print in our commitment contract to Jesus Christ. It is His servant-like attitude that provides an example to us of how we should serve God the Father.
Last Sunday we remember those who sacrificed themselves for their country and for all this meant to them. How much more should we sacrifice ourselves for God who is so much greater than any country and has given us so much, materially and spiritually. He has opened the way to eternal life for us through the sacrifice of His only Son on the cross.
One day Jesus will return and, as we say in the Creed, judge the living and the dead. Everyone will be judged by their response to the Lord Jesus. Those who have acknowledged them with their lips but not their lives will be condemned. The third servant was denounced by the master, do we want to be denounced by the Jesus? And cheat ourselves out of heaven?
We may feel that the responsibility for restoring St. Michael’s, the community inside and outside the church too huge for us to do. It is BUT I know that if we all work together with all our different skills and talents and knowledge and with God on our side – then bit by bit, brick by brick, spiritual seed sowing here and there we will do it. It will take years, we may not be here long enough to see it finished – It will happen because we want to be like the first two servants who readily received their master's gift and joyfully set about trying to use it for his advantage. We want to hear these words for ourselves. `Well done, good and faithful servant! Come and share your master's happiness!'
The master rewarded them by giving them further responsibilities and inviting them to share in his joy. For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. This is saying "Use it! Don't lose it". Just as an athlete who disciplines himself, training hard and eating the right foods will improve so the believer who works hard serving the Lord and disciplines themselves will grow in spiritual stature.
Prayer: Lord you have given us so much, more than we deserve, give us hearts, minds and show and keep reminding us of our gifts you have given us so that we can make good use of them and help to further your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Three questions:
A] "What am I investing in?" One way of answering this is to examine how we spend our time, money and energy. If we were to construct a league table using these factors where would God be?
B] Where am I talented? What gifts has God given you, materially and spiritually?
C] How can better serve God? We need more people to help. Like many churches we have a small number of people doing the vast majority of the tasks within the church. We need people to help with the Sunday Club, SMYL, to welcome people at the door, to help serving refreshments, and many other things. Every member of the church is equipped and called to help to build it up, numerically and spiritually.
Don't doubt your ability, just give your availability and God will honour that and help you to fulfil the task he is calling you to.
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