While with his disciples on the Mount of Olives, Christ Jesus told them a story which today we call the parable of the talents. See Matt. 25:14–29 . It tells of a wealthy man, who, preparing to leave the country for an extended journey, entrusted to three servants several talents. To the first he gave five talents; to the second, two; and to the third, one. The first two men put their money to good use and returned to their master a double amount, but the man who was given one talent hid it in the ground and had only the one to return.
As I prayed and studied to gain a clearer sense of man's true potential as the child of God, I learned to acknowledge my ability as being God-bestowed and supported.
Each of the first two men received the praise of his master with the words "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: ... enter thou into the joy of thy lord." By being "faithful over a few things," they were made rulers "over many things." Even though they had been given different amounts, they had both proved equal in their faithfulness and wisdom and so were rewarded in a like manner. Through faithfulness they gained their dominion.
