Steven M Schisler
Sep 1, 2018 · 3 min read

My own experience has shown me that everyone has drastically different talents and abilities. As a supervisor for many years, it became vital to figure out who could and would do what successfully, both for the job’s sake, but more importantly for the worker’s sake. Most people start off wanting to do well and satisfy the boss, but their life experience and abilities often leave them handicapped to do so, especially if the supervisor do not make their expectations plainly known. Most people doing unsatisfactory work didn’t start out in life lazy, entitled or negligent… that is a learned behavior from often receiving not the right training early on, often leaving them fearful of failing…again. Not giving an employee a clearly detailed expectation in productivity and duration handicaps them. This is true of faith also in raising up good, Godly young men and women.

Today’s readings (1 COR 1:26–31, MT 25:14–30) give us some insight. First Paul tells the Corinthians that not many are wise, strong, successful or of noble birth in human standards… rather he teaches that God uses the weak and ownerless to display His strength and righteousness. Jesus tells the Parable of the Talents. A king leaves three stewards in charge of either 5, 2, or 1 talent. In his absence and then upon returning, the one with 5 makes 5 more, the one with 2 make 2 more, while the one with one buries his and returns only that when the king returns. The king praises the industrious ones and promises them bigger and better responsibilities and greater share in his joy. The one who hurried his talent receives a severe reproach and discharged of his duties and looses the kings friendship. While this parable is often looked at from only the current worker’s perspective, wouldn’t it make sense to go back and see why the last man was so afraid to fail and be punished?

God gives us all the gift of faith… and enough of it to pursue sanctity successfully. But we fall short, due to many reasons. Sometimes those reasons early on can fall squarely on the shoulders of our parents and grandparents (and society). When we are severely criticized instead of being encouraged, it stifles our initiative and creativity early in life. When we are handed things without working for them, it does exactly the same thing! When we are treated like a herd of cattle or sheep rather than individually, we fail to reach our full potential. When we receive a poor or inconsistent example we get mixed messages about real expectations, in work and even more importantly in faith and morals.

Sometimes, we were taught Old Testament/Covenant pictures of God, portraying Him as a tyrant, a jealous, scorekeeping, punishing and vengeful God only… forgetting that He was also known to be providential, generous, loving, creative, and after our hearts! It’s easy to see why people want no part of that kind of faith-based system of fear and punishment only. “Just get it out of my mind and pretend its not even real…” That only sets them/us up for failure. But how culpable is that person? Well early on, not very… but as we get older and more mature as a human being, we must grow up and take responsibility for ourselves and not continue to shuffle the blame or be lazy or negligent, in our work or faith lives.

God knows our true talents and abilities. He expects us to exercise, use and improve them for the purpose of worshiping and serving Him and the world’s needs. He wants us to spend eternity with Him in greater joy and intimacy, that’s why he created us! If we look at ourselves and see we are usually a fearful, talent burying steward, perhaps it would be a good idea to diligently look back and figure out why we are and grow up and take responsibility for ourselves in serving God with our time, talents and treasures. Let the past go and move on without fear. Remember, God uses us, the weak and powerless, to display his strength and righteousness! Peace and All Good, my friends!

Steven M Schisler

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Husband, Dad, Grandpa, Catholic Deacon, Secular Franciscan, Outdoorsman, Adventurer, Retired/Disabled Electrician/Field Superintendent/Project Manager/Vice-Pres