The Parable of the Talents: An african Perspective

"Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone…………. He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip”



Mat 25:14,15



There are some interesting things about this popular parable



1. Nobody got nothing

2. The distribution was proportionate (……according to their abilities)





In the Kingdom, proportion is the theme not equality.



But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master's money. (Mat 25:18)



"Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, 'Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn't plant and gathering crops you didn't cultivate. (Mat 25:24)





3. The guys decision was an attitudinal issue not because of what he got…………he wasn’t complaining of the amount!



AFRICA

1. We aren’t the ones that got a silver bag (Africa is the richest continent………in mineral resources).

2. We sure got the attitude!



A SAVING POSTURE



“The temptations in Africa are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than Africa can stand. When Africa is tempted, He will show her a way out so that she can endure.” 1 Cor 10:13 (forgive my reading of it).



The African challenge is common, until we believe that God has made provisions for escape we would look upon America, Europe and of recent Asia for solutions. Countries that of themselves helped themselves.



If our Solutions are not homegrown, they are at best long term complexities. The malaria challenge, the AIDS pandemic, corruption, electricity and education issues are problems whose solutions are panting in someone’s heart; an African. They are not at Harvard or Oxford, inasmuch as we might need those, they are not the real things.





If you can understand this article, you are among the elites that Africa is waiting for, away with our safe postures; a comfortable job, great house, nice car and once a year vacation. Let’s make the difference for our continent, at least for the less privileged for whom we are the only hope.



God is people oriented...........



nnamdiokwonna@yahoo.com