In Matthew 25:14 -30 there is a parable about three men to whom were given a certain number of talents. A talent is a weight of money in this parable. In a conversation with the Lord this morning my eyes were opened and I am to share this with you. I have taught from these verses many times but I never got to the depth of what I now know.
There is no doubt that this parable is referring to money, however money is both literal and symbolic. Here's a partial list as I'm sure I will not cover all of the things the Lord has given us to be to stewards over:
body
mind
relationships
children
spouse
ministry
spiritual gifts
friendships
employment
possessions
ideas
abilities
knowledge
Myles Munroe, one of my mentors, says this, "If the purpose of something is unknown abuse is inevitable ". A good example of this is marijuana. We know that marijuana was created by God and that all good things come from above. Because we have not determined the purpose of this creation we abuse it. You can apply this theory to any of the items I have listed and it makes perfect sense. All of these things are abused in our society and we see the results.
For example: if a child is abused he is taken away to be put into a foster care program; if a spouse is abused, more than likely, there will be a divorce and someone else will marry him/her; if a job is abused, more than likely, that person will be fired and their job will be given to someone else; if a person has a good idea and does not act on it, most likely, someone else will capitalize; if you abuse your body, it will eventually present you the bill for bad health and take away years of life; if you abuse your mind, you will most likely lose it.
It amazes me how many things I have purchased and bring in the front door that eventually end up in the garage. I don't want to know how much money I've spent impulsively on things that seemed like a good idea at the time only to sell them in a garage sale after a few years. (This includes their sitting in the garage for a number of months).
Recently I gave several boxes of things to the Council of the Blind to sell in their store. I decided that they at least, could obtain some money to fulfill their purpose, from others who might want to purchase them and eventually put them in their garage. (The never-ending cycle). There is also the Salvation Army, the Goodwill stores, the Disabled Veterans and other organizations who will willingly take your items. However, you might want to have a garage sale and use the proceeds to pay down debt created by buying the things you are now giving away. You will have to overcome the temptation to go out and buy more things to put in your house to eventually move to the garage so you can have another garage sale in a few years. If the temptation to spend again is too great, then go to someone else's garage sale and buy their things for garage sale prices rather than buying high and selling low which seems to be the American way. The reason we are laughing at this is because we know it's true. (My assumption is based on my personal experience.)
I'm praying that your mind is now open enough to take a serious inventory of all the areas of your life where there can potentially be misuse or abuse. Granted some things may not be able to be changed. If this is the case, ask for forgiveness and move on. Change what you can change and asked God to help you be a better steward in the future.
If you have never heard or read the full serenity prayer, here it is:
God grant me serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can and Wisdom to know the difference...living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time... accepting hardship as a pathway to peace...taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it...trusting that You will make all things right if I surrender to your will...so that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with You forever in the next.
Amen.
(Reinhold Niebuhr)
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