A) INTRODUCTION.

B) DEFINITION OF A TALENT.

C) DEFINITION OF A GIFT.

 

 

A) INTRODUCTION

 

 

The best way to explain the differences might be better explained by looking at how Jesus considered them.

 

 

B) DEFINITION OF A TALENT

 

 

Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:12-27:  “one He gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability” = A “talent” from God is:  “The ability that God has given us in order to be a blessing to others.”  Now here is a key point.  God determines the amount of talents given to each individual, but man determines the increase.  In fact, God has determined mankind’s mission on earth as being an instrument in adding to and being a multiplier to His kingdom.  Jesus Himself states in Matthew 13:8:  “But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.”

 

From my favorite Bible Commentator:

 

“I was then shown that the parable of the talents has not been fully understood.  This lesson of importance was given to the disciples for the benefit of Christians living in the last days.  And these talents do not represent merely the ability to preach and instruct from the Word of God.  The parable applies to the temporal means which God has entrusted to His people.  Those to whom the five and two talents were given, traded and doubled that which was committed to their trust.  God requires of those who have their possessions here [39] to put their money out to usury for Him, to put it into the cause to spread the truth.”  4bSG:38-39.

 

“Talents that are not needed are not bestowed.”  9T:37.

 

“The talents God has given men and women are not all alike for He would have one supply the need of the other.  He desires His workers to help one another in the discharge of their various duties and thorough accomplishment of the work to which He calls them.”  19MR:264.

 

“The power of speech is a talent that should be diligently cultivated.  Of all the gifts we have received from God, none is capable of being a greater blessing than this.” ST, July 2, 1902; COL:335; RC:282; VSS:13; VRP:197.  NOTE:  Notice that a talent can also be a gift.

 

“God has called us to serve Him in the temporal affairs of life.  Diligence in this work is as much a part of true religion as is devotion.”  COL:343.

 

“The mind is a trust from God.  The powers of the mind are to be cultivated.   They are to be so wisely used that they will increase in strength. Each one is to use his entrusted talents in a way that the greatest good will be done.  The mind is to be educated that the best energies of the soul will be brought out and every faculty be developed.  We must not be contented with a low standard.  We are to move onward from one advanced line of work to another.”  Letter 106, 1901; 2MCP:665.1.

 

 

C) DEFINITION OF A GIFT

 

 

By contrast, Jesus explains in Matthew 15:5 that a “gift” is given without something expected in return: “But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me.”

 

From my favorite Bible Commentator again:

 

“As he {Paul} worked at his trade, the apostle had access to a class of people that he could not otherwise have reached.  He showed his associates [352] that skill in the common arts is a gift from God, Who provides both the gift and the wisdom to use it aright.”  AA:351-352; CC:96.7.

 

“Daniel’s parents had trained him in his childhood to habits of strict temperance.  They had taught him that he must conform to nature’s laws in all his habits; that his eating and drinking had a direct influence upon his physical, mental, and moral nature, and that he was accountable to God for his capabilities; for he held them all as a gift from God and must not, by any course of action, dwarf or cripple them.  As the result of this teaching, the Law of God was exalted in his mind and reverenced in his heart.” CG:166.

 

“The thought that the righteousness of Christ is imputed to us, not because of any merit on our part, but as a free gift from God, is a precious thought.”  FLB:111.6; GW92:103.2.  NOTE:  Let’s explain (explore) that by looking at Romans 4:4-8 (Note:  “impute” means “to attribute,” while “impart” means “to give.”):

 

“[4] Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

“[5] But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

“[6] Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,

“[7] Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

“[8] Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.”

 

Verse 7 is the key.  Those who request forgiveness of their sins are only those who have been awarded “grace,” and “justified,” and have been “imputed with righteousness” from God.