Sunday, November 15, 2020

The Talents Entrusted to Us

 
 
Matthew 25:14-30

Jesus said ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. After a long time, the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, “Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, “Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, “Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.” But his master replied, “You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return, I would have received what was my own with interest. So, take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

This story always leaves me confused. It would be easy to “compare and contrast” the idea of the Kingdom of Heaven to Nirvana. I believe the Kingdom of Heaven is here on Earth and that is not what my heart is led to write about today.  This time I went back to the top to figure out exactly what the slaves were asked to do. The word stuck out to me this time was entrusted.  What is the difference between trust and entrust? The “EN” prefix changes a noun into a verb - an action. If we think in terms of money a Trust is a place where money is held. To be Entrusted with money (in this case a talent or 15 years salary) means you will take action with this money. Much like financial advisors of today, these slaves were expected to take action with this money.  The first traded, the second made, the last hid. Hiding is not a financial action. Trading or making are financial actions.

What are we entrusted with in our lives today? Perhaps the care of a child, or the care of each other.  Perhaps we are entrusted to do the best work we can in our chosen profession.  To follow the yoga idea of Ashima or do no harm, while taking action to leave the world a better place. 

But what about those that are hiding perhaps unable to do better out of selfish dark inward fear, suspicion, neglect, and misery?  How can we help trade or make their lives better, a place of selfless light outward risk, faith, love, and joy? We all are entrusted to help others grow. The ending of this parable is not a punishment, it is consequence of not doing the good work entrusted to us in the Kingdom of Heaven here and now.

As a yoga therapist many entrust me with their health and healing. I model selfless light outward risk, faith, love, and joy using my skill set hoping to trade, make, or move my clients out of selfish dark inward fear, suspicion, neglect, and misery.  Karma yoga, free service, is a way to give to those that have nothing. For a period of time I led free meditations at the Family Resource Center and started a non-profit that offered yoga by donation to all in Rome, Georgia.

We all have different talents to contribute. How do you use the skills entrusted to you to make the Kingdom of Heaven here on Earth a better place?

 

Photo: "The Parable of the Talents" (1906), artist unknown. Bible card, Providence Lithograph

 

 

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