Investing Talents
Stories
Lectionary Tales For The Pulpit
Series IV, Cycle A
"For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money." (vv. 14--18)
In Through the Back Door of the Church, Thomas Mallonee tells of Oscar, who was one of those average students whose real passion was extra--curricular activities. He excelled at football and basketball. He also loved to sing. He lived six miles out in the country, and could often be heard singing as he walked home from his after--school practices. The neighbors liked Oscar, and he was a familiar sight on the road home in the evenings. Often they would stop and offer him a ride home.
One of the teachers at school heard about Oscar's singing as he walked home from practice. The teacher asked Oscar to join a barbershop quartet he was forming. The quartet sang at most of the school functions and accepted invitations from outside the school as well, especially the churches.
Between Oscar's singing and athletic prowess, he became a popular member of the community. After he graduated from high school, he married his high school sweetheart, had two boys, and remained active in the community. He even continued to sing in the barbershop quartet.
World War II soon broke out, and Oscar was deferred because he was a father. Still he wanted to serve his country, so he left to be a welder at a shipyard to maintain naval ships. After the war, he returned home to work for a local steel company. He was conscientious and a faithful worker and was promoted rapidly. He was highly respected by his peers.
One of the best things about coming home was that Oscar could begin attending church with his family again. He used his singing talents in the choir. The leadership and teamwork talents he learned on the athletic field, Oscar used in serving on the administrative board, the pastor--parish committee, and the finance committee. And using his popularity, he formed a United Methodist Men's Fellowship. He became the president and chief cook for the breakfasts. During the week, he was always sure to invite the men at the plant as well as the members of his church.
There were five other Methodist churches in the valley where Oscar lived. Feeling that pooling together could strengthen churches, Oscar visited each one of these churches, which eventually led to the formation of a cluster of United Methodist Men that met once a quarter.
Oscar retired from his welding job at the steel company and became ill a short time later. Tests revealed that he had a serious lung problem that probably resulted from his many years as a welder. There was no cure. Oscar could only wait and pray that his condition would improve.
When the United Methodist Men of the valley heard of Oscar's situation, they began to pray. Each came to encourage him. Someone always picked him up to attend the meetings.
Gradually, Oscar began to feel somewhat better. He credits the healing as a return on the investment of his talents - the faith and prayer of his brothers in the United Methodist Men groups. It was as if God was saying, "Well done, good and trustworthy slave."
In Through the Back Door of the Church, Thomas Mallonee tells of Oscar, who was one of those average students whose real passion was extra--curricular activities. He excelled at football and basketball. He also loved to sing. He lived six miles out in the country, and could often be heard singing as he walked home from his after--school practices. The neighbors liked Oscar, and he was a familiar sight on the road home in the evenings. Often they would stop and offer him a ride home.
One of the teachers at school heard about Oscar's singing as he walked home from practice. The teacher asked Oscar to join a barbershop quartet he was forming. The quartet sang at most of the school functions and accepted invitations from outside the school as well, especially the churches.
Between Oscar's singing and athletic prowess, he became a popular member of the community. After he graduated from high school, he married his high school sweetheart, had two boys, and remained active in the community. He even continued to sing in the barbershop quartet.
World War II soon broke out, and Oscar was deferred because he was a father. Still he wanted to serve his country, so he left to be a welder at a shipyard to maintain naval ships. After the war, he returned home to work for a local steel company. He was conscientious and a faithful worker and was promoted rapidly. He was highly respected by his peers.
One of the best things about coming home was that Oscar could begin attending church with his family again. He used his singing talents in the choir. The leadership and teamwork talents he learned on the athletic field, Oscar used in serving on the administrative board, the pastor--parish committee, and the finance committee. And using his popularity, he formed a United Methodist Men's Fellowship. He became the president and chief cook for the breakfasts. During the week, he was always sure to invite the men at the plant as well as the members of his church.
There were five other Methodist churches in the valley where Oscar lived. Feeling that pooling together could strengthen churches, Oscar visited each one of these churches, which eventually led to the formation of a cluster of United Methodist Men that met once a quarter.
Oscar retired from his welding job at the steel company and became ill a short time later. Tests revealed that he had a serious lung problem that probably resulted from his many years as a welder. There was no cure. Oscar could only wait and pray that his condition would improve.
When the United Methodist Men of the valley heard of Oscar's situation, they began to pray. Each came to encourage him. Someone always picked him up to attend the meetings.
Gradually, Oscar began to feel somewhat better. He credits the healing as a return on the investment of his talents - the faith and prayer of his brothers in the United Methodist Men groups. It was as if God was saying, "Well done, good and trustworthy slave."
