Read: Read the Parable of the Talents slowly. Identify who the characters and elements in this parable might represent (i.e., the master as God, the servants as you and me, the talents or treasure as our skills, abilities and time). Read the parable once again, thinking of God as the wealthy master and you as one of the servants. 

Reflect: A word that stands out in this parable is “entrusted” (v. 14). The wealthy master simply did not hand over his money to anyone. He called upon servants who he trusted. God has blessed each one of us with an immense amount of vastly different skills and abilities. 

Everything we have, everything we are, is from God. He created us. With this in mind, place yourself in the position of each servant. 

Notice that the third servant did not invest his talent, as did the other two. 

Why do you think this servant was so cautious with his talent and failed to invest in what the master had freely given to him? A glimpse of why the third servant was so hesitant comes when he admits that he views the master as a “hard man.” This servant had a distorted view of God. When one views God as hard, or  judgmental and punitive, or detached and stoic it will impact how we invest our treasures.  However, if we view God in his proper context of a loving, faithful, engaged God, full of majestic beauty, this, the true God, is eminently worthy of our life investment.

Respond: The noted pastor and author A.W. Tozer wrote: “What comes to mind when you think about God, is the most important thing about a person.” 

How do you view God? What self-created distortions might be skewing your perception of God? To answer this question, spend a few moments in silence and write down these views. After doing this, read several passages of Scripture, such as John 3:16, 1 John 4:8-10, Romans 5:8 and Matthew 11:28-30. 

Compare what you have written with what is written in the Bible. Where does what is written in the Bible match your perceptions of God that you have written down? How do they differ?  Is it possible that you, like the third servant, may be burdened with an inaccurate view of God’s glorious character?

Spend some time in prayer talking with God about your thoughts, beliefs and perceptions. Confess to Him the places where your views do not match what Scripture says about our heavenly Father. Ask the Holy Spirit to bring healing and transformation. Take time to journal your thoughts and your prayer.