"Once upon a time there was a man who entrusted valuable property to his servants…"

So begins the Parable of the Talents. Like many of the parables, these seventeen verses encapsulate a story that includes three main characters, a simple plot of action and a very clear moral outcome. Originally designed for the oral tradition, stories like these were easy to remember and therefore easy to retell. They needed to be, considering that over four decades passed between the death of Jesus and the formal documentation of this gospel. Like each of the accounts we have in our Holy Scriptures, this passage was first passed on through personal encounter as men and women gathered together (despite the threat of brutal persecution if they were to be found) just so they could hear some good news about God's presence in the world. They were people - like you and like me - who seeking inspiration and the assurance that their lives could be filled with hope through the message of the gospel.

And so the "once upon a time" of the Parable of the Talents unfolds. We listen as the master of these servants gives five talents to one, two to another and one to the last, and we wait expectantly to see what happens. What is Christ teaching here? How does he reveal the nature of discipleship?

Clearly the crux of this story rests in our need to share the gifts we've been given by God. On the one hand, the mention of talents encourages savvy stewardship of our financial resources and on the other it suggests that we apply our individual skills and abilities to God's mission in the world. Those are two important interpretations lying on the surface of the story. But looking at this passage from the perspective of those first disciples we realize that its meaning runs much deeper than that. Remember: this was a time of political and religious chaos; Matthew's community was a place of apocalyptic uncertainty and strain. Struggling to keep the teachings of Christ alive those early converts heard this parable and remembered their Savior had given them a great treasure to oversee, even though they found themselves in difficult times. Christ had left them in charge of the power and promise of the gospel. It was a gift whose value only they could ensure.

Oh yes, "For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his servants and entrusted his property to them…Then he went away... After a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them."

All of a sudden we realize this parable is one of evangelical and eschatological significance. Illustrating the need for disciples to share the good news of the gospel so that Christ's mission could continue to unfold, this story lays out an example of good stewardship versus bad as each one of the servants handles those talents in different ways. Similar to last week's passage describing the ten bridesmaids waiting through the night for their groom, the ultimate moral of the story at hand is to persevere in faith, sharing the gospel message with others so that its influence can grow. That is the example of the "good and trustworthy" servant in this text: he was a man who took what he was given and made it multiply; he was a Christian convert eagerly helping others to convert as well.

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations," Jesus tells those early apostles. "Teach them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28: 19-20). Referred to as the "Great Commission," these words of Christ set forth the evangelical nature of the Christian faith. Preparing men and women to share the truth of the gospel those first disciples were sent forth to feed the hungry in body as well as in spirit, preaching God's message of mercy and grace. From generation to generation the knowledge of the gospel grew. Now it reaches us. Now we find ourselves to be those servants entrusted with the gospel.

William Barclay, biblical scholar and devoted Christian disciple writes, "There is no joy in all the world like the joy of bringing one soul to Christ." For many of us in the liberal Protestant tradition, a statement like that can make us squirm uncomfortably. "You want me to do what?" we might want to holler. Scared of sharing our faith in an age of such religious and cultural diversity we don't even like to consider the possibility that we might be called to evangelize. It's so much easier to turn to our minister - our Senior Minister, that is, or our Association or Conference Minister - and ask "what are you doing to make the church grow?"

But today we remember that part of being Christian is spreading the Word ourselves. The story of the Talents reminds us that we are all held responsible for sharing God's redemptive power. So what do we do? How can we stop digging and put that shovel down, helping instead to make God's treasure multiply? There's a woman who's changed the course of her career in order to risk sharing God's message of healing. Writing for musical variety programs like "The Carol Burnett Show" and sitcoms like "The Facts of Life," Martha Williamson, a devoted Christian, began climbing Hollywood's ladder back in 1984, gradually moving from writer to story editor to executive producer. In the mid-nineties a new project came her way that she decided to take on if she could have creative license and control. The show was to be a weekly drama addressing God's redemptive presence in the world.

We now know that television program as Touched By An Angel, each episode dealing with people who are at a crossroads in their lives and in need of a helping hand. Angels in the human form of Monica, Tess and Andrew come into a situation in order to offer guidance and inspiration, first appearing as someone like you or me but always identifying themselves as messengers of God by the end. Addressing with the realities of drug and alcohol addiction, marital and family disasters, crises related to one's health, employment, and finances, the program encourages individuals to take responsibility for their lives with the help of God.

No matter what we may think of this drama series, no matter how we may look forward to each episode or cast them off as too preachy and sweet, we might all agree that it's quite incredible this show has met with such success. Renewed season after season by CBS, Touched By An Angel offers programming that's viable not only for those who hunger for hope but also for advertising dollars. As Williamson states, "We create a place every week where God is honored." Who in Hollywood could have predicted that the show would work?

We certainly could have - here in Boston as well as in many other corners of the globe. As those seeking strength from the spiritual realm, we know the dire need for hope and acceptance, for abiding love and eternal care. Like Martha Williamson we understand the need in this world for God's love and direction. And so, perhaps we can learn from this woman's example. Appreciating the ways we are called to share the truth of the gospel we might be inspired by her bold display of faith. As described by her co-executive producer and husband, Jon Anderson, "Martha's vision was simple: God exists. God loves you. God wants to be a part of your life." Still in the pilot stages of development these two knew they needed not only to lay this message out but also live by it themselves. Anderson says, "… we frequently ask God for assistance. 'God, help us with this problem. Help us come to a conclusion about that. Help us to keep our minds open for your answers.'" Over five years later the expression of their faith goes on. As Williamson shares, "I consider Touched By An Angel to be seed planting."

It was Robert Louis Stevenson who once said, "Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant." Appreciating the meaning of the Parable of the Talents today we realize that in order to make the gospel grow we must share its power with the world. Like those early apostles we need to give witness to our faith, taking the "once upon a time" of our biblical stories and giving them new life - the life of our own personal experience and transformation. Like Martha Williamson and so many others who give creative expression to the reality of God we must challenge ourselves so that this treasure can multiply. "The greatest mission field we face is not in some far away land," says Dwight Ozard, director of a philanthropic group that helps develop relevant ministries for at-risk, inner city youth. "It's barely across the street. The culture most lost to the gospel is our own - our children and neighbors." In the face of hopelessness we need give witness to God's restorative presence. In the face of tragedy we need give voice to God's resurrecting power. In the face of war we need give witness to God's reconciling peace. How are we letting people know, "God exists. God loves you. God wants to be a part of your life"? How are we sharing the gospel in these modern times?

With our denomination losing over 14% of its members in the last decade - 750 of those departing from churches in Massachusetts just last year - these are not simply philosophical quandaries. One by one each of us must find a way to take the love and purpose we know in Christ to those who need it. One by one each of us must share our faith, inviting our friends and family members to church - perhaps on a special occasion like Meeting House Sunday or to the Choral Vespers service if typical worship feels too threatening. The Parable of the Talents reminds we all must help the gospel to grow.

Once upon a time, "a man, going on a journey, summoned his servants and entrusted his property to them…Then he went away... After a long time that master came and settled accounts with them." What will God find with us? What will we have done?

Let us pray.

God of grace and God of glory, help us share the gospel. Take the shovels in our hands and use them not to bury your power but rather to plant the seeds of the love, hope and joy we know in Christ. For as you have touched our lives with loving grace so we seek to share your mercy with others in the world. Amen.

SCRIPTURE READING
Matthew 25: 14-30

"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 the two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug an hole in the ground and hid his master's money. After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. 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 hade five more talents.' 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.' And the one with two talents also came forward saying, 'Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.' 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.' 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; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.' But his master replied, 'You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? 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. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even twat they have will be taken away. As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'"