Put Your Talents to Good Use
When we talk about Stewardship at St. James’, we say we practice year ‘round Stewardship of time, talent and treasure. Time and treasure are easy to figure out. We volunteer our time and we give our treasure (money) to carry out God’s mission through St. James’. But what about “talent”? Among Webster’s several meanings of talent are “a characteristic feature, aptitude, or disposition of a person or animal; a special often creative or artistic aptitude; and general intelligence or mental power/ability.”
We are familiar with the Parable of the Talents in Matthew where Jesus tells the story of the man going on a journey and leaving his treasure with each of his servants “according to his ability.” In biblical times, a talent was a unit of exchange of varying amounts of gold, silver or copper. (Another of Webster’s definition is “any of several ancient units of weight/a unit of value equal to the value of a talent of gold or silver”). It could have represented as much as 20 years’ work for a day laborer. Over the years, talent has come to mean intellectual powers and natural abilities that can have tangible value. So, what did Jesus mean by talent? Stewardship theologian Ronald E. Vallet explains how our talents are currency in the language of kingdom stewardship — “everything you have and everything you are comprise the talents entrusted to you by God. This includes your abilities: each precious moment of every day, every week, every month, and every year given to you; your material and financial resources; your relationships with loved ones and friends; the gift of God’s salvation and redemption in Jesus Christ—in short, your very life! All of this is entrusted to you by God. And you are called to be God’s steward. The parable makes it very clear that, as stewards, we are accountable to God.”
We each bear the ultimate responsibility for discovering and using our talent. The good news is there are many opportunities at St. James’ to use your talents for the Lord’s work. We see examples every Sunday in the preparation of the altar by the Altar Guild; the dedication of the Lectors and Eucharistic ministers; the helpful attention of the ushers; the helping hands of those who make the coffee, prepare refreshments, and clean the kitchen; the music of the choir; and the commitment of the Sunday School teachers. Beyond Sundays are the teams who prepare meals at the homeless shelter; the helpers who provide food for Sacred Spaces; the workers who care for the Memorial Garden and maintain the beauty of the church grounds; the volunteers for Vacation Bible School and Kidz Club at Sunrise Village; and the many people who help settle a homeless family into a home. These are just a few of the numerous opportunities available through St. James’ to put your talents to use doing the Lord’s work. Don’t be like the man who received the one talent and hid it in the ground. Put your talents and gifts to use at St. James’.
Lord, help us to love you with all our heart, soul and mind. And help our giving to reflect that we love others as we love ourselves. Amen.
~ Gail Blalock, Stewardship Chair