The Parable of the Talents

Below is the parable of the talents of Matthew 25:14-30.

I'll let you read it, and then we’ll discuss what it meant to me.

14 “For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them;

15 To one, he gave five talents; to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.

16 The one who had received the five talents went off at once, traded with them, and made five more talents.

17 In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents.

18 But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.

19 After a long time, the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them.

20 Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.’

21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things; I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’

22 And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.’

23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things; I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’

24 Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed;

25, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’

26 But his master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reapwhere I did not sow, and gather where I didnot scatter?

27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return, I would have received what was my own with interest.

28 So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents.

29 For all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.

30 As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Okay, what do you think?

Pretty intense, right?

As a person who lives with depression and all sorts of mental disorders.

This parable speaks volumes to me.

Why?

Well, it's because I have identified with the enslaved person who didn't invest in his talent.

I was thankful the master gave me a talent but didn't use it.

I halted not to do anything.

Even though my counterparts did make a return on their investment.

I thought it'd be best to hide and bury my talent.

That's how I feel with depression.

If I hide away, nothing terrible can happen to me.

Or so I think.

This parable shows me that all the gifts that God has given me should be used to multiply his Kingdom.

I have a car so that I can make money with it.

I can write and am creative, so I should produce content and share my thoughts.

I have a testimony and have the ability to have insight into my mental disorder.

I should seek an audience and help others understand or cope with their issues.

Depression lies and says you're worthless and you mean nothing.

I had heard that voice when I was depressed.

I can only imagine what that servant thought as the master gave a talent.

With medication, I'd invest my talent.

Without it, though, I'd do nothing with the talent.

It's amazing how our brain chemistry will dictate our behavior.

I'm not sure how long I have a healthy brain.

I'm 33 now, living with schizoaffective disorder.

Some research says SAD deteriorates the mind.

Others say the opposite.

Only time will tell.

I wonder how many other people with SAD are self-aware.

That's a talent God has given me; it is the gift of self-awareness.

I need to invest in that.

What do you think? How do you resonate with the story?