If you don’t use it, you lose it

Then they said: there are only 7 musical notes in the scale, but look at what Beethoven, Mozart and many others (yes, even Elvis and Johnny Cash) have done with those seven.  (Personally I don't think we can consider our current brand of rock music because it seems to me that they only use a couple of the notes over & over).

 

The third thing mentioned is: there are only 10 numbers, but look at what great entrepreneurs have done with those ten.  And not only them, but scientists and mathematicians too.  Example: atomic energy.

 

The point that I believe the author of the above three things was getting at is, for us to look at how we've been able to use the things that God has provided to mankind.  How a small number of things can be tremendously enlarged on.  I'm going to liken these 3 things to the parable told by Jesus that's generally known as the Parable of the Talents.  Please read this parable in Matt. 25:16-30.

 

Briefly, in this story told by Christ, that relates to the "kingdom of heaven (the church) is like," He talks about various employees being given a varied amount of money (talents) to use while the "master" is away for a period of time.  In our lesson today I'm equating the "talents" to abilities.

 

The actual details as to how much or how many "talents" are involved in the story is unimportant as far as the meaning of the story.  What is important is how they were used, or not used.  I'm going to apply the principle of Jesus' story about the "talents" to helping us see the spread of the Church, the kingdom, throughout the whole world and I'm going to use the principle seen in our aforementioned 3 interesting things.

 

 

There were only 12 Apostles on the Day of Pentecost , yet through their teaching and preaching they saved "about 3000 souls" that very day.  (Acts 2:41)   That effort began the spread of "the kingdom" throughout the world as those who had been "added to the church" went about "adding" others on a daily basis.  And, it hasn't stopped yet, nor will it cease until time ends and the "kingdom" is called home.

 

Now, let's return to the parable for a few thoughts and here are mine.  We all have varied amounts of ability.  Some, like the parable, more than others and with the understanding that, if given a lot, a lot in return will be expected. 

 

And here again, as in the lesson of the parable, the amount IS NOT the important factor.  How we use whatever amount of ability we have IS the important part.  This is the principle I see as being brought out by this parable.  That we use whatever ability we've been blessed with to increase the "Master's" business. 

 

When you read the parable you'll notice something I mentioned earlier.  That some had been given more than others.  However, one who had only been given a small amount, failed to produce anything with that "talent."  Instead, he "hid" it and when called for an accounting offered up, in today's vernacular, a lame excuse.  Let's look for a moment at that excuse.

 

Let me just cite his words here: "Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed.  So I was afraid and I went and hid your talent in the ground.  Here you have what is yours."  (Verses 24-26)   The account goes on to say that he was punished severely for the non-use of his "talent."

 

You know, by man's way of thinking, he might be seen as being prudent or wise to not have invested his master's money, thereby being able to return it when the master came back.  But, that's not the true picture shown by the Master's statement regarding his saving of the "talent."  It wasn't "saved."  It was not used.  There's a big difference.

 

That difference can be seen when we understand that the "Master" in the story is God.  The "talents" are His gifts, through His grace, of the natural abilities given to all His servants with the expressed thought that they are to be used for, and to, the glory of the "Master." 

 

Think of it this way: a rich man, a "Master" provides monies (abilities) to his employees (servants) with the expectation that they produce an increase for him.  Just as God expects His "kingdom" to increase by the use of the abilities He bestows on His servants - Us! 

 

 

There is an old saying that I've always found to be true in all situations.  That old saying is: "If you don't use it, you lose it."  And, like the non-user in the parable, the end result of neglecting our God-given amount of ability can only be described as disastrous to usward.  Most definitely pointed out by the "Master's" pronouncement of judgment on the non-user is that to "bury" our God-given ability is a sin and will be recognized as such.

 

Ron Covey