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10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright (c)2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. http://www.esv.org
“One talent? That’s it? I’m not a one talent guy! I’ve seen the two and five talent folks. They’re not that impressive. I don’t get it. Why would you give me so little to work with? The game is rigged. The deck is stacked. And I know how this is gonna go. You’re gonna want a great return on your investment, but there’s just not enough here to grow. So I’ll play it safe. I’ll bury this little bit in the ground, and when you come around, I’ll at least be able to give it back to you.”
We don’t know everything about the servant who receives the one talent, but we know that he was afraid (Matthew 25:25). Fear colors the way we see God, life, and the work He has entrusted to us. Fear leads us to compare ourselves to other people and count “talents” instead of thanking the Lord for the abilities and opportunities He has given us. Fear leads us to bury our life in the ground, to play not to lose, instead of taking risks because we know that the Lord has been both rich and generous to us. Fear always shifts our focus. Fearful lenses are like carnival mirrors: everything is distorted, and we forget what is real. We don’t see the Lord clearly. We don’t see our neighbors clearly. And we certainly don’t see ourselves clearly. How much does fear paralyze us and keep us from walking in the good works that the Lord has prepared for us (Ephesians 2:10)?
The servants who receive two and five talents remind us that our abilities and resources are not the ultimate issue. What we do with what has been entrusted to us is what matters. We tend to ask, “Why did I not get as much as she did?” But the Lord would have us ask, “Why did You give me so much, and how do You want me to use it?” As we come to revel in being saved by grace through faith, humility and courage start to grow where fear once dominated our lives. We start to see that our abilities and resources are gifts from a God who loves us and lavishes His grace upon us. Why would we bury a life in the ground when there is so much to gain and nothing to lose? Fear is constantly running from dread; faith is constantly chasing down joy. There’s the joy of His salvation that dawns when we come to know Christ. There’s the joy of His approval that grows as we work unto Him. And there’s the joy of His commendation that awaits us at the end: “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.”
We all spend a lifetime working in one way or another. But will we ever slow down and think deeply about our work? Will we rest in the finished work of Christ? Will we work, not to earn God’s love, but because we already have it? Will we hedge our bets for the sake of being safe, or will we take risks for the sake of being faithful? As His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, these are not small questions. According to Jesus, eternal joy hangs in the balance.