Been trying to figuring out what to say to the congregation today (service in afternoon). To be honest I want to have a course on the gift of grace (not sure if this is the proper name, sorry..) - the gifts each of us have been given by God to be used for him in the congregation, in the world.
But I’m not sure if the congregation is ready for it, and it might be stretching the text a little bit to long…..
…you see, the word for the money in Jesus’ story is the same as the word talent. And my mind jumps quickly to: “What is then my talent, what is yours - how can they be used in the Lords service?!”
Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a trip. He called together his servants and gave them money to invest for him while he was gone. He gave five bags of gold to one, two bags of gold to another, and one bag of gold to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities—and then left on his trip.
You’ll find the rest of it in Mattew 25:14-30.
To say it short, those whom use the money wisely and make a huger pile out of it are rewarded greatly, no matter how big a pile it is. But the one who didn’t do anything to let the money “grow” is punished because of it.
What to we then do about our use of the gift of grace? Do we use them wisely, do we use them to ensure growth?? I’ve been reading about Natural Church Development.
I want to learn more about this. Do anyone knew anything about them?? Do you know any churches that has used them when working on church growing??
See you later.
I’m off to church 
I’m sure your sermon was beautiful, Anne!
Wish I could send you some of this heat lol!
Thanks Deb!
I’m just glad there is sun for the fifth (!) day in row here. Did you send it??
Hugs
Maybe I’m confused, but from what I understand - see our Bibles will say “Talent” but we were always taught that a talent was a measure of money then. But of course, it is a picture of your life and your talents, etc.
In the story it was a measure of money… but when interpreting the story and why Jesus told it, it comes clear that it was not about money alone. It was about taking care of what you got and trying to make it progress…. or so to speak
Our text use the actual word talent and I like how the two meanings of it plays together
(talent means the same in English and Norwegian by the way, not talking about money.)