"To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability." (Matt. 25:15, NIV). The word "talent" that we use today actually comes from this story. Back in this day, talent simply meant an amount of money — about $1,000 bucks. The master gives five grand to one guy, two grand to another, and one grand to another. He says, I want you to go invest it.
You have some talents. Talents are abilities, resources, skills or opportunities — all of the things that God has given, including spiritual gifts. Anything that God has trusted you with — your children, your job — can be considered a talent.
Notice the amount differs but everybody gets something. There is no such thing as a no-talent person. Everybody has at least one. You do have a talent. The Bible says, "We have different gifts, according to the grace given us." (Romans 12:6, NIV) You're unique. God has given you gifts, talents, skills, abilities, experiences, personality traits, temperaments — all to make you, you. You're unique. There's nobody else like you in the world. He made you for a purpose.
"After a long time the master of the servants came back and settled accounts with them." (Matt. 25:19, TEV)
The master had made an investment and wanted a return. God has made an investment in your life and he wants a return. The Bible says one day God is going to do an account — an audit — of your life. Are you ready for that? God is going to ask you, "What did you do with what I gave you?" You didn't choose to be born in America and enjoy the freedom you have here, what did you do with it? The greater the privilege the greater the responsibility.
The first man took his money and doubled it — a 100 percent return. This man was a wise investor. The second guy took his two grand and he doubled it. The point of the story is the third guy. The third guy just buries it. He does nothing. "But the man who had received one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money." (Matt. 25:18, NIV) He's cautious and conservative. He says, "I'm going to play it safe!" He sat on it.
What was his master's reaction? "His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant.'" (Matt. 25:26, NIV) His master was ticked! He was more than a little upset! "At least you could have put it in the bank." You haven't even tried, he said. You hid it. This is the sin of inactivity, the sin of passivity.