Our Vision Forward focus this week is good stewardship, in other words the use of what God has given us. The parable that we turn to this week from Matthew 25:14-30 is called The Parable of the Talents. It is part of a series of parables that have themes of waiting for someone special—a master or someone else. Rev. Johnston Varden The traditional reading of the parable encourages disciples to use their resources effectively for the gospel’s sake — and it warns us that we’d better get on with it. So prevalent is this interpretation that many have applied the term “talents” (Greek: talanton) to, well, talents like singing and sports, and successful use of our talents for the kingdom’s sake. Your gifts or talents are not just your genetic abilities and natural aptitudes, although these are part of your gifts. We know that God wants us to use these gifts. God wants us to use our God-given gifts, however varied and numerous those gifts are. But elements of this parable will trouble some of us. What if the parable is less straightforward and its message more subversive?
Discipleship Questions:
1. John Wesley, founder of the Methodist movement, said we should ‘earn all we can, and save all we can, so we can give all we can.’ What do you think it means to give all we can?
2. How do you cultivate a good stewardship of all that God has given to you? To your family? Your community?
3. Rev. Varden, leaning into the biblical image of talents, says that we as Christians hold a treasure in our hands—the treasure is the Gospel. Did the message challenge you about what you are doing with that treasure? Do you feel a sense of haste about sharing this treasure?
4. Is there a response needed today to what God is nudging you to do with your presence, gifts, service, and witness? What is your first step about that nudge?
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