Matthew 25:14-30
“For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more.18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed,25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Two gifts stand out in my mind: one of which I gave, and the other that I received.When I was a young boy I gave my sister a set of checkers for Christmas. I don’t think she wanted them, but I certainly did, and I was happy to be able to play checkers with her whenever she was willing to do so. The other occasion was my birthday when I received some tulip bulbs from my mom. I had no desire to plant or try to grow tulips at that time in my life (I might feel differently about such a gift today). Neither of these gifts were thoughtful nor appreciated.
God’s gifts are not only thoughtful and costly, but purposeful as well. God allows us to receive many blessings so that we may be a blessing to others. There is clear biblical teaching about this: “You will be made rich in every way so that you may be generous on every occasion…” (2 Corinthians 9:11). But there is also evidence of this truth in this parable of Jesus: The master entrusts with his property. He will come back and take an account of how each of them does with the money they have been given. He expects a return.
The gift of God’s salvation is free and gracious on God’s part. We do nothing to earn it, nor does God give it because we have achieved some degree of worthiness. God gives this gift purely out of his grace and love for Jesus’ sake. As recipients of these gifts and blessings we also have the calling to represent God in the world, pursuing his interests and seeking his kingdom/reign. God is neither thoughtless nor stingy. He is intentional and will one day return to see how we have used the gifts he has given us.
What’s more, as we use these gifts for his purposes we will find even greater joy as he leads us along the path of life.
David Bahn - Reflections 
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