American Idol?
Susan Boyle?
Scott McCreery?
Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts?
Most everyone reading this, has seen the first two
TV shows and most know the two talent show contestants; but, how many remember
the last radio and TV show from the 40 - 50’s, the original talent show. Contestants included: Pat
Boone, The Chordettes, The McGuire Sisters, Tony Bennett, The Blackwood Brothers, Lenny
Bruce, Roy Clark, Rosemary Clooney, Ken Berry, Florian
ZaBach, Wally Cox, Vic
Damone, The Diamonds, Eddie Fisher, Connie
Francis, Don Knotts, Steve
Lawrence, and Patsy Cline.
Two who auditioned; but, were not chosen were, Buddy
Holly and Elvis Presley. Well,
no one’s perfect.
When I say “talent”, most readers do not think of
the original talent scout in Matthew 5:
“A man going off on an extended trip, called his servants
together and delegated responsibilities.
15To one he gave five thousand dollars, to another two
thousand, to a third one thousand, depending on their abilities. Then he left. 16Right off, the first
servant went to work and doubled his master’s investment. 17The second did the
same. 18But the man with the single thousand dug a hole and
carefully buried his master’s money.
19“After a long absence, the master of those three servants
came back and settled up with them.
20The one given five thousand dollars showed him how he had
doubled his investment. 21His master commended him: ‘Good work! You did your job well.
From now on be my partner.’
22“The servant with the two thousand showed how he also had
doubled his master’s investment.
23His master commended him: ‘Good work! You did your job well.
From now on be my partner.’
24“The servant given one thousand said, ‘Master, I know you
have high standards and hate careless ways, that you demand the best and make
no allowances for error.
25I was afraid I might disappoint you, so I found a good
hiding place and secured your money. Here it is, safe and sound down to the
last cent.’
26“The master was furious. ‘That’s a terrible way to live!
It’s criminal to live cautiously like that! If you knew I was after the best,
why did you do less than the least?
27The least you could have done would have been to invest the
sum with the bankers, where at least I would have gotten a little interest.
28- “‘Take the thousand and give it to the one who risked the
most. And get rid of this “play-it-safe” who won’t go out on a limb.
30Throw him out into utter darkness.’ ” The Message
Is this a
story about “capitalism”?
Is this a
story about material things?
Is this a
story about “abilities”?
It may be
any or all of these; but I don’t think that it is just that. I think it is much, much more. I think it is about what God has given
to His body, the church. I think
it is about what our work is.
“I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall
not prevail against it. 19And I will give unto thee the keys of the
kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in
heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Matt. 16: 18 -19
“And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them
out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.” Matt.
10:1
“And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and
that he might send them forth to preach, 15And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils”
Mark 3:14
“And he called unto
him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave
them power over unclean spirits.” Mark 6:7
“15Then he said, “Go into the world. Go everywhere and announce
the Message of God’s good news to one and all. 16Whoever believes and is baptized is saved; whoever refuses
to believe is damned.
17“These are some of the signs that will accompany believers:
They will throw out demons in my name, they will speak in new tongues,
18they will take snakes in their hands, they will drink poison
and not be hurt, they will lay hands on the sick and make them well.” The
Message, Mark 16:14
When is the
last time you “took a chance”, laid it all on the line; or, are we like the
servant who buried his talent: And get rid of this “play-it-safe” who won’t go out on a
limb. Throw him out into utter darkness.’ ” The Message, Matt. 5:29
Has God taken away His power from the
church in America because it has buried it, denied it’s existence through “dis-use”? Even our physical bodies atrophy when
we become “couch potatoes”, how much more is this true of what God has given us
to use for His glory?
