Busy with our Calling

Jesus’ parable of the talents has a happy coincidence in its name. “Talents” in that day, as is evident from the story, was a word used for money. The principle of the parable in the parable, however, can be applied far more broadly. The word does apply to our talents, whatever they may be. But it also applies to our calling, giving us a deeper sense of urgency in the task the Lord has given us. The Master hasn’t merely put money into our hands that needs to be invested prudently. He has instead placed in our arms children that will last forever. And we will surely give an account to the Master, for we are simply stewards of His good gifts.

We need to remember our Lord’s parable about the bad steward. He didn’t lose his talent, he failed to multiply it. When the master returned, the steward ran and got the coin he had been given. We are called to multiply our talents in and through the gift of our children. Our goal isn’t simply to get them into the kingdom, but to raise them to be heroes of the faith.

We rightly handle our talents when we teach our children to rightly handle their own. We need to teach them to value the right talents, as we seek to do the same. We have children who are “talented” with reading, piano, baseball, etc. But these things at which they shine and which gets the attention of others – including the heathen – are not what it’s all about.

When we read the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11, we ought to pray that our children will be in that hall. As Gregg Harris once wrote, we don’t simply want our children to be able to read and understand the great Reformers, we want them the be the great Reformers, for their generation. It is necessary, however, that we understand what greatness and Reformation are. That is, our talents will be best multiplied not by raising famous theologians, heroines of renown, sports stars or Christian pop singers. Our talents will be multiplied if we humbly raise up godly children who will raise up godly children. The greatness isn’t in popularity and fame, not even in the “talents,” but in the faithfulness.

We will assuredly answer for what we have done with the children God has given us. Indeed, we may even answer for the grandchildren He gives us. That should sober and scare us. It should also send us running to the only One who can give us the wisdom and fortitude to endure at such a task and not just give up before we really start. Just like the stewards in the parable, we also serve a stern master, so let us with fear and trembling be busy with our calling. –from Tending Your Garden by Denise Sproul