Individual responsibility.
Each one of us must use our talents in the service of our Lord. You cannot fulfill my responsibility for me and I cannot do it for you. When it comes to the basic requirements of worship and service, no one can do that for you.
God deals righteously.
The five talent man was not blessed because he had more talents, but because he used his talents faithfully. The same is true of the two talent man. The one talent man was condemned, not because he only had one talent, but because he did not use what he had. He was not faithful.
Ability grows if used.
The same is true of our talents. If we don’t use them, we will lose them. If you quit studying, visiting, teaching, etc… you will lose those talents. We are responsible to use talents and develop them to be able to render even greater service.
Blessings bring responsibility.
The more we are blessed, the greater the responsibility. If we have ability to teach, visit the sick, lead singing, prayer etc… we are responsible for doing so. Remember the following formula:
ABILITY + OPPORTUNITY = RESPONSIBILITY
If people are busy using their talents, they won’t have any time to be getting into trouble. The one-talent person may have other dangers. He may conclude that his small ability is not worth much, and so fail to use what he has. He may conclude that if he can’t teach as well as someone else, or sing as well as someone else, then don’t do it at all. Let us be reminded that the widow gave her two mites (Mark 12:43-44). She used the ability she had.
We may never be a five talent person, but we know everyone has some talent or ability that he can use to serve God. The lesson is, use what you have and the Lord will richly bless you for it. “His Lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.'” (Matthew 25:21). (RON HUTCHISON)