What is a talent? Quoting from good authority, as to the definition of the word, it is used to denote "an ancient denomination of weight, especially of gold, varying widely in value." So it indicates money, wealth and property in general.
It is also used in the sense of "a gift committed to one for use and improvement; a capacity for achievement or success." It is defined as "mental power of a superior order—superior intelligence,—often noting power or skill acquired by cultivation, and thus contrasted with genius."
Lowell says, "Talent takes the existing moulds, and makes its castings better or worse." These deflected uses of the word, are due in part to the sense suggested by the parable of the talents in Matt.25: 14 to 30. In this parable it speaks of one to whom Christ gave five talents, and he used them judiciously and gained with them other five talents,—unto another He gave two who gained as much in proportion as the one who had the five,—but to him who received but the one, and went and hid that which he had. the Master said, "Take away from him that which he seemeth to have," because in reality he did not realize that he had it to improve. In either of these cases the talent was not their own apart from their Master and he gave unto them according to their several ability to use and improve them.
