Deny Shy: Your Talents... Or His?
the kingdom of Heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise, he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time, the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
Matthew 25:14-19 (NKJV)*
Here’s another definition of shy:
'Easily frightened away, timid; distrustful; wary; deficient' (Random House Dictionary).
With this kind of SHY, re-think the Parable of the Talents. it might read like this:
Once upon a time, a prosperous lord was preparing for an extended trip. He entrusted his wealth to three servants--expecting them to handle it wisely.
When the lord returned, he checked his estate. Two servants doubled what he’d given them. He commended and rewarded each one.
'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things. I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord' (v.21,23).
But servant #3 was shy (timid). Instead of investing his lord's talent to increase it and obey his master, he was shy (frightened) about losing it. He was shy (distrustful) of the unknown– and chose to stay comfortably at home. He buried his talent in the backyard. Therefore, when the lord held his accounting, he was shy (deficient) of a return.
The Lord's Words?
'You wicked and lazy servant... Take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents' (v.26,28).
The Shy Servant's Outcome?
'Cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth' (v.30).
In Matthew’s Gospel…
This Parable is the final story Jesus told before His crucifixion.
Actors, models, and talent for Christ, don’t fail to follow your Lord’s last lesson.
The talents you hold are not yours, but His.
And with them, YOU AREN’T and will NOT be… shy.
When fear comes, evict him from your story. At the same time, erase and overwrite timidity, distrust, and deficiency, because you’re God’s good and faithful servants.
Deny Shy: Your Talent… Or His? (Part 3)
The Parable of the Talents: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+25%3A14-30&version=NKJV
NOTE: This is a 2023 update of a 2014 Carey Lewis Devotion. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players. Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.