Spring 2004
A Capacity to Become
Wade E Taylor

“For the Kingdom of Heaven is as a Man traveling into a far country, Who called His own servants, and delivered to them His goods. And to one He gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to each man according to his several ability; and immediately took His journey. Matthew 25:14-15

This verse transcends the initial experience of redemption, and has to do with the “preparation” of our lives for a higher purpose.

I appreciate musical talent, which I greatly desire, but do not have. I have often wished someone could “lay hands” on me, and impart the ability to play a piano. Rather, this ability comes through much practice and effort. A person who is naturally “talented” can more easily learn and excel.

However, the “talents” which the Lord gave, relate to our spiritual potential, rather than human, or natural abilities. They have to do with “a capacity to become” that which the Lord would have us to be.

“Till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a full grown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:13 ASV

These talents are given to each “according to his several ability.” This is because we vary greatly in our make-up. Some of us are very emotional and expressive, while others are extremely inward. We differ due to our inherited makeup, our intellectual ability, and our family environment.

These talents, which the Lord gave, are the “measure” of the “potential, or, capacity” that is the sum of our creative make-up. It has to do with our ability to grow into spiritual maturity and function in eternal things. He gave one talent, two talents, and five talents, to each according to their ability, or, in relationship to the “potential” that He saw to be within them.

“After a long time the Lord of those servants comes, and reckons with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, You delivered to me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His Lord said to him, Well done, you good and faithful servant: you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter you into the joy of your Lord.

“He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, You delivered to me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His Lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter you into the joy of your Lord.” Matthew 25:19-23

The one with five, came back with ten; and the one with two, came back with four. Initially, our thought would be that this has to do with quantity - the two became four, the five became ten.