During the last few years of my father’s life, he loved to go to Sears and buy tools. Therefore, one would assume that he was a handyman. He wasn’t. But he surely had all the tools necessary to be one. After he passed away I inherited some wonderful Craftsman saws, grinders, wrenches, screwdrivers and drills. Neither am I a great handyman but I have managed to use them through the years and pass some along to my sons, who are very handy. So ultimately the tools have found good homes.
Jesus’ parable of the talents is one of my favorites. To one servant the master gave a lot money. To another he gave some money. To another he gave a small amount. You know the story. The first two multiplied their talents but the one with a small amount, who had limited ability, buried his much to the master’s displeasure.
So what are your tools? I know some of you and some of you that I know are very talented. Tools, talents are made to use. Singing in the shower doesn’t hack it if you are really good and never sing for others. We have so many research tools at our fingertips. In a few moments we can access all manner of information. What do we do with it? Do we merely satisfy our curiosities or do we turn that information into ways to help people?
My dad had a beautiful brand new hammer that I am sure never once struck a nail. But he did not bury it. He shared it with me. One of the best things we can ever hear is what the master said to the servants who multiplied their talents. “Well done thou good and faithful servant.”
Written by Roger Bothwell on March 22, 2013
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org