Have you received any gifts lately? In the Gospel of Matthew 25:14-30, we find the Parable of the Talents about a wealthy landowner who is going on a journey. Before he leaves, he calls together the servants and gives each one talents according to their ability to use while he is away. (A talent was an amount of money.) To one he gives five talents, one received two, and one received a single talent. During the owner’s absence each servant got busy doing something. The first two servants increased their money. But the third servant buried his money in the ground because he was afraid it would be stolen. When the master returned, the first two servants were rewarded, “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.” The message was far different for the third servant, as the master was angry that there was no growth of the initial gift. His initial gift was taken away and given to others.

This parable teaches us a great deal about the gifts we give and receive. First, we see that God is the giver of all gifts. Yes, we are the ones who receive the gifts, and if we are honest, we may think we deserve a gift from time to time. After all, we do have birthdays! Yet, we find that we can never earn God’s grace. Grace flows to us through Christ’s self-sacrificing love. With humility, our works flow in response with gratitude and faith from what we have received in love. We get to use our gifts to build up individuals and communities, not break them down. Each person can be a master builder.

Sometimes a person may say, “I don’t have any gifts for God.” Not true! When the master left, the talents were given out to the servants according to their ability. God continues to extend unique gifts to us. Some of us have remarkable musical talents or the ability to teach children or the ability to maintain a building. Each one of us has a role to play in the community of faith. There is no such thing as a gift-less Christian. Our talents, along with the Spirit, allow us to be good stewards of the time, talent, and treasure the Lord has provided. Supporting one another through care is something each one of us can do. We can all be kind, listen well, write an encouraging note, and pray for each other. Greeting each other warmly at worship or checking in on someone we have been thinking about but have not seen are simple yet meaningful acts. With all of the talents we have at Westminster Church, I know we can be overflowing with kindness and compassion in service to God and one another.

Together on the journey,

Louise