God gives us all talents for a reason. Whether we are talented artists, doctors, scientists, or teachers, I believe God gives us talents to share them with the world for the building of His kingdom.

But what good is having a talent without opportunity?

In the parable of The Talents a man gives his servants money according to their abilities. Some of the servants went out and doubled what they were given, but one servant hid his and simply returned it when the lord returned.

The lord praised the servants who doubled their talents and rebuked the one who made nothing of his. To the first two servants he says, "You were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things," but he calls the one servant "wicked and lazy" and goes on to say, "for to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance, but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away."

This has always been a heavy parable for me because it can be read and interpreted to reveal a great many lessons. But tonight the lines spoken to the servants upon the lord's return really hit me. He almost seems to be echoing the timeless cliche, "The rich get richer and the poor get poorer."

So what does this mean for us today? What about those of us not born into privilege who have been blessed with talents but no opportunities to really use them? Taking the initiative and creating opportunities for yourself is a must in this day and age but it's also generally easier said than done. So where does that leave us; If we are ambitious like the servants who doubled their talents but find our talents buried by lack of opportunity? Will God bless us for our efforts or will he look upon us with shame because we were unable to multiply what he blessed us with in the first place?