The other day I came across the phrase “latent talent” and it struck me that those two words – “latent” and “talent” – share the same letters. Not only do they share the same letters, but they are further connected in that far too much talent remains latent. While it’s always a shame when useful and enjoyable talents remain untapped, the problem of latent talents is especially acute within the Church. God has given each of us abilities, and He desires that we use them for the building up of His kingdom. In Romans 12:4–6, Paul writes, “For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them.”
God has provided the personnel and skills necessary for the flourishing of His Church. The problem is that so often, the talents that God has provided the Church through its members remain latent. Potential song leaders remain silent, potential leaders remain seated, potential encouragers / teachers / maintenance technicians / etc. for whatever reason fail to identify and take advantage of the talents that God has given them for the benefit of others. We do not all have the same abilities, and that is exactly why we need everyone to work together for the growth of the Church.
If the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14–30) has entered your mind, know that it has been in mine as well. Now, admittedly, the “talents” of the parable are units of weight (1 talent = about 80 pounds). Nevertheless, the number of “talents” given to the individuals represents resources: time, money, and also talents. The five and the two talent men were praised for their wise use of their talents. They took the resources given them by God and put them to work for the Lord’s benefit. But what of the one talent man? Was he reprimanded because he did not have as many resources as the other two. Certainly not! He was reprimanded because he buried his talent instead of using it to the benefit of the Lord. His talent remained latent!
God does not ask us to do what He has not equipped us to do, but He absolutely expects us to use whatever talents He has blessed us with to His glory and the building up of His kingdom. He has equipped His church with people possessing a variety of skills which together make a well-functioning whole. It is not just “people” that He has equipped, it is YOU and ME that He has equipped. Our responsibility is to identify the skills He has given us and to make use of them for the building up of the Church. God forbid that we allow the talents He has given us to remain latent. “But how,” some may ask, “do I identify my talents?” Here are a few suggestions:
- Reflect on your own resources and interests
- Listen to what others say you are good at or how you have helped them
- Identify the needs of the Church: remember, God has provided the people and skills that the Church needs. If you can identify what the Church needs, it may be that YOU are the person with the skill to take care of it.
- Finally, pray that God would show you how you might benefit the Church. Having prayed, pay attention to what others are saying and to what the Church needs. You never know how God will answer a prayer.
Studies in the Bible 