The Parable of the Talents – Using What You’ve Been Given

In The Chosen (Season 2, Episode 8), Matthew is entrusted with something precious—helping Jesus refine the words of the Sermon on the Mount. His gift for precision and detail, once looked at with suspicion, is now a key part of something life-changing. This moment is a perfect example of what Jesus teaches in the parable of the talents.

In Matthew 25 (yes, written by Matthew himself!), Jesus tells a story of a master who gives his servants different amounts of money: “talents”. Two of them invest wisely and multiply what they were given. One, however, buries his gift, afraid of failure. The master’s response is striking—he calls the fearful servant wicked and lazy. Why? Because the issue wasn’t how much he had received, but what he chose to do with it.

Many of us can relate to the third servant, though. Maybe you’ve also felt afraid to step out at one point in your life, worried that your efforts won’t be good enough. Perhaps you’ve thought, What if I fail? What if I mess it up? But here’s the kicker: God never asks for utter perfection—He asks for total faithfulness. He wants us to take what we have, however small and maybe even feeble, and trust Him with the outcome. Imagine if Matthew had refused to follow Jesus, thinking he wasn’t qualified. The Gospel of Matthew might never have been written!

Here’s the truth for you and I: your gifts are not meant to be hidden. They were given to you so that you can impact the world. Whether big or small, visible or unseen, every talent has value in God’s Kingdom. The question isn’t, "Do I have enough?" The question is, “Am I willing to use what I have?”

Are there any gifts or talents you’ve been hesitant to use? What’s holding you back?