THE service at Crediton Methodist Church on November 19 was led by Rev David Greenwood, when he spoke about the Parable of the Talents.

Pam showed several photos to illustrate the theme, “Use it or Lose It”.

Firstly was a photo of china dinner and tea services given as a wedding present to Marjorie’s parents. Her mother used to use it and Marjorie used it as well until she got a dishwasher, but now only uses dishwasher-safe crockery. 

Then Pam admitted that she had found several items in her food cupboard which were way out-of-date. She showed a photo of some frozen food which was now totally useless. 

Next, Pam found a supermarket voucher which was past its redeem by date. She had lost the benefit of the voucher. If all of us used all our vouchers and then donated the money saved to a food bank or other charity, how much would they benefit?

Finally she showed a photo of a vase of roses and explained the rose bush had late buds which she had cut and the roses had opened and now smelled lovely. She did not lose the roses and was now enjoying them.

We heard the parable of the talents read from Matthew 25.  David explained that one talent was equivalent to one year’s salary.

The slave who was given five talents was in effect given £2.5 million in today’s money.  The slave given two talents received just over £1million and the slave with one talent received £525,000.

So, the first slave doubled his money to £5 million, the second doubled his to £2.25 million. The third slave did not invest his one talent and gave the master back just the same amount as he started with.

Because this is a story about money, the rather capitalist owner gives more to the one who has made the most money. The last servant is described as lazy. It is about what we do with our money.

We know that the story is more than just money.  This reading takes place in the last week of Jesus’s earthly ministry. The clock is ticking!

Jesus knows He does not have much time left. Jesus had ridden into Jerusalem on a donkey and had entered the temple and thrown out the money changers. He went into the temple each day teaching and telling stories about the future. 

The clock is ticking. Are you ready? In the middle of this teaching He is asked what the greatest commandment is. He replied “love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and mind and love your neighbour as yourself”.

Jesus was not just talking about monetary talents in this story. We should love our neighbours. We will not get another chance. This is our one chance

Bronwyn Nott