The Ability Trap

How able are you?

It sounds like one of those trick questions, I know, but I have a theory about what we are able to accomplish, and in a way, it ties back to the parable of the talents.

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.  - Matthew 25:14-15

In this strange parable about a property owner and his slaves, we encounter the curious statement about one's abilities.  Each slave is entrusted with a number of talents (a sum of money) based on his abilities.

So, before they have a chance to prove themselves, they are already judged according to some prior accomplishment.  I know you are able to only manage a small amount, so here you go.

Now, if ability was the real justification here, wouldn't you think the return on investment would be higher for the ones entrusted with more?

Both slaves who invested the money, doubled the amount they were given.  In other words, they demonstrated the same ability.

The criteria for determining the sum given was therefore probably not based on their ability to increase the return, but instead on the number of people they knew who needed to borrow.  I am giving you ten talents because I know you know a lot of people who are desperately in need of a loan, and they will pay handsomely.

The interest rate was fixed.  And it must have been a hefty price to double the money.

So the one who did not invest, the one who opted out, either didn't know a lot of people in need, or didn't want to play the game at all.  His ability to opt out was not even considered by the master.  That side of him was hidden, and it must have been hard for him to stand his ground all the while the master was away, knowing how he would react upon his return.

This parable is often interpreted far differently than that.  It is often thought of as justification for earning a decent wage and saving rather than sharing, but that may not be the intent at all.

All of us are able to set our resources aside, to save and let the bank invest for us.  That's easy.  The hard thing is to opt out.

So the story may not be about what we are entrusted with, but how we are judged.  And the ones who prejudge us are others like us, not God.  If God is not the master in this story, then we need to look at this differently.  The master of our actions might just be greed and self interest.

When we opt out, we cease to be controlled and we gain our lives.  But there is a penalty in this life for failing to play the game.  We are ostracized, because we are all guilty of the same thing.  We all believe there is injustice in the amounts we have to work with.

That is the trap here.  We all judge.

And judgment is what leads us down the wrong path.  What we are truly entrusted with is each other.  We all have the ability to help each other, love each other, be there for each other, and yet we fail to invest heavily in that ability.

So, how will I face the day today?  Will I complain about all I do not have?  Will I believe that I would do more for others if I had more?  Will I lat my inabilities be based on my wealth or will I opt out of the argument and do something amazing?

What will I let rule my life?

IT is worth the time it takes to give that some real thought.

More to come...