The Lord gives charity and faith to everyone according to his abilities and state (see Arcana Coelestia 2967). We are taught this truth in the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30). There, Jesus told His disciples of a man who entrusted three servants with large sums of money. Each was given a different quantity - according to his ability. After a long time, the master came back and inquired how they had used his money. Two wisely used the talents for trade and doubled the amount given to them. But the third servant had done nothing but bury the talent in the ground.

As with all of the Lord's parables, there is an inner meaning here. The talents symbolize the wealth of good and truth that the Lord gives to us. And just as the master goes far away for a long time, the Lord leaves us in freedom to use these gifts as we will. The faithful servants are they who use these gifts wisely, serving or helping other people from love. After death, they are received into heaven and enter into the joy of the Lord. Those who waste their potential do not.

How can we be good and faithful servants of the Lord? The Lord blesses us with spiritual freedom and the ability to learn and think. In addition, He gives us a unique array of abilities, which gives each person the potential to serve the Lord and the neighbor in a special way. When we speak of "talents" today, we mean the potential abilities we inherit and choose to develop. The goal the Lord sets for us is to put our inborn talents and spiritual gifts to use in serving others and in living a good and productive life according to His Word. In this way we will also be considered "good and faithful servants" and be welcomed to heaven, to enter into the joy of our Lord.

This month, we are looking at the Parable of the Talents as a way to explore the true meaning of charity and use.