When Jesus tells the parable of the talents, it’s a shame that the word for the ancient currency, the talent, is the same as a word we use to indicate a special ability. His illustration went to the lowest common denominator: we all handle money. We work to earn it, we buy food, we pay bills, we save for the future. Everyone who manages to sustain their existence does so by the use of money. But in the english translation of the parable we read about “talents” and are tempted to think that Jesus is talking about a chosen few receiving some special skills that they’re supposed to use for incredible returns. This isn’t how we should read it. Jesus isn’t telling us to be faithful and productive with the few but extraordinary things that God has given us, he is telling us to be faithful and productive with the many but mundane things God has given us.
Can you see? Watch out for others. Can you speak? Then speak up. If you are strong, work hard; if you are weak, work some.
In the parable the productive servants weren’t shown more favoritism based on who produced more. Instead the servant who was given little and did nothing with it was rebuked. The parable isn’t about extraordinary abilities, but what we produce with the abilities that everybody has.