Three Ways to Thrive in Your Talents

Jesus was a superb storyteller. He knew that a good story is memorable, relatable, engaging, and easier to recall than simply sharing a principle or spiritual truth that would have been too abstract for his listeners to comprehend.  One of the most common ways he told stories is by using parables, which essentially were short, simple stories that his audience could relate to.

One of the most memorable and uncomfortable parables for me has always been the “Parable of the Talents”, as it is told in Matthew 25: 14-30. The story is about a wealthy master who goes on a trip and entrusts his three servants with his wealth, giving each one a share (a talent) “according to their ability.” The first gets five, the second gets two, and the third gets one talent. The master is gone a long time and when he returns, he calls each servant to account for the talents entrusted to them. The first two servants doubled their talents having invested them in fruitful enterprises, pleasing their master who praises them each with the words, “well done good and faithful servant.” However, the third servant, fearful and negligent, had buried his one talent. The master furious with him, takes away the talent and gives it to the first servant who had originally been given the most talents. The third servant is further punished and thrown out of his master’s presence and into “that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

This story confounded me for the longest time because I thought the punishment of the third servant seemed unusually harsh and cruel. Wasn’t it prudent to play it safe and not risk losing the one talent? The cool thing about parables though is that there are usually multiple layers of meaning and understanding. For instance, the “talents” in the parable can mean money, property, our unique talents, and gifts, or even our calling as a Christian to spread the gospel. Looking at the parable through these different lenses gave me perspectives that helped inform my understanding of the master’s reaction to the third servant.

In this two-part post, I’m going to explore the parable through the lens of our unique talents and gifts and why when we engage and optimize these talents that we can thrive for our good, as well as others.

 

We are given talents according to our abilities

When you think of how you are wired and what things you are especially good at, take comfort in knowing that you have exactly what you need to do the things you are purposed to do. In the parable, each servant was given a share of talent based on their ability. Similarly, God blesses you with strengths, interests, and passions that make you exceptional at what you do, if you are working, leading, or serving in the areas of your unique gifting. This could be in your career, business, non-profit, ministry, or personal life. You do have the right talent in the right quantity to fulfill God’s purpose in you.

Unsure of what that is? I am a champion for getting clarity around your innate talents using the CliftonStrengths assessment. You can take the assessment and work through my Threefold Path to Purpose workbook to gain an understanding of how your strengths, passions, and values align to call you to a specific purpose. If you need help interpreting your results, I’m a Certified Strengths Champion and can guide you to greater clarity around your strengths. I explain more about the CliftonStrengths approach in my post “The Secret to Becoming a Career Trailblazer.”

When you operate from your areas of strengths, you are able to be more efficient, effective, successful, and satisfied. This is biblical but also practical. The decades of research Gallup did to create CliftonStrengths demonstrate that playing to our strengths and managing our areas of weakness, is the pathway to success.

We have a responsibility to steward our talents well

One of the strongest takeaways from the “Parable of the Talents” is the importance of stewardship. We aren’t created to have all these gifts and talents only to have them sit and collect cobwebs inside us. There is a purpose for our existence, even if we don’t understand exactly the full weight of it just yet. At a minimum, our gifts should be used to add to the good in the lives of others. As the parable demonstrates, the master is pleased when the talents were multiplied to bless his estate.

So, what does stewardship mean? 1 Peter 4:10, says, "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms." Stewardship means doing your best to maximize the opportunities your talents provide, and in so doing create value for others. The talent doesn’t matter but how you maximize it to bless others does! Notice the use of the word “maximize”. That is intentional. It implies a multiplying factor that points back to the parable. The servants who pleased their master multiplied their talents by a factor of two. We are called to multiply our talent as well. This is good stewardship.

We must steward our talents wisely

There are consequences to hiding or misusing our talents

In the parable, the one-talent servant who hid his talent is severely punished. This is the point of the story that used to leave me confused. However, now with growth and spiritual maturity, I see things differently. The lesson is that hiding, abusing, or misusing our talents, has consequences, sometimes dire ones.

Some of us hide our talents, for myriad reasons—fear of failure, fear of success, low self-esteem, perfectionism. While the consequences may not seem dire on the surface, I believe there is a spark that dies inside us when we don’t embrace our gifts—the spark that leads to our ingenuity, greatness, or exceptionality.  Scripture says, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Math 5:16). We don’t exist here on earth to fulfill our desires. We are each created as God’s masterpiece (Eph 2:10), formed with a purpose, with gifts, meant to serve others and showcase God’s glory. To deny that purpose being brought to fruition, I believe is to deny God, to turn our backs on Him, and that is the worse consequence of all.

In Part 2 of this post, I’ll explore other key takeaways from the “Parable of the Talents.” Stay tuned!

Natalie Jobity, MPhil, MBA, ACC, founder of The Unveiled Way, is a leadership and career coach, consultant, brand strategist, bestselling author, mentor, speaker, and facilitator who has earned a reputation as "The Brilliance Unveiler." She empowers female leaders to live in the fullness of their purpose and unveil their brilliance by leveraging the power of their strengths, expertise, and distinctiveness, so they make transformative impact in their sphere of influence.

Visit Natalie’s website to learn more about how she partners with leaders with her signature “Unveil Your Brilliance” program and her "Brand Your Biz Like a Boss" consulting service.  While you’re there, join her Unveiled community and pick up your complimentary copy of her "Empowered to Lead: Seven Strategies to Help You Become a More Impactful Leader" guide.