Faithfulness in Small Things: The Parable of the Talents Revisited

His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness. Matthew 25:21

When Students Do Nothing

One of the most vivid frustrations of teaching—something that still sticks with me even after retiring—was seeing perfectly capable students just sitting there, doing nothing. I’m not talking about the ones glued to their phones, deep in conversation, or sneaking in an extra nap. No, the ones I remember most are those who just occupied space, filling the room without really being present.

When I think about those students, a scene from The NeverEnding Story comes to mind. Rockbiter, a massive stone creature, describes “The Nothing” that devoured everything he knew: “No, a hole would be something… Nah, it was nothing. And it got bigger and bigger.” That kind of emptiness came to mind as I wondered if those students were being swallowed up by their own “Nothing.”

At least the students who avoided work were still engaged in something. I can’t help but smile now, thinking about the restless ones who could never sit still or the talkative ones who, while off-task, brought life to the room. Some of those kids, who seemed like nothing but a handful at the time, probably went on to do quite well.

The Parable That Lingers

The more I reflect, the more I realize that it’s not just students who struggle with this kind of inertia. Many adults, too, go through the motions of life without investing in their talents or pursuing their purpose. It’s as if that same “Nothing” has crept into their lives, leaving them perfectly capable yet unmotivated. It reminds me of a parable from the Bible that I didn’t fully appreciate until later in life.

Jesus tells the story of a master who gives each of his servants a different number of talents, or coins. Two of them take what they’re given, invest it, and make more. But one servant, afraid of losing his single talent, buries it in the ground. When the master returns, he praises the two who made the most of their gifts. But the one who buried his talent? He’s sent away empty-handed—not because he failed, but because he did nothing.

My Father’s Quiet Persistence

In contrast, my father modeled an entirely different approach. My dad worked as an electrician, and I remember a time during slow periods when his employer didn’t have any work lined up. Yet, rather than sit idle, he’d get up, put on his work clothes, and head out for most of the day.“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness.’” — Matthew 26:21

He came home with his hands dirty, carrying paper sacks that rattled with empty soda bottles found along trash-strewn roadsides. Mostly Coke, Pepsi, and Dr. Pepper—but also forgotten brands like Nehi and Frosty’s Root Beer. He didn’t earn a fortune, maybe a few dollars a day, but never sat around waiting. Instead, he did what he knew to do.

What Faithfulness Really Means

And I believe that dignity doesn’t come from big jobs or fancy titles; it comes from faithfully using whatever “talents” we’re given, however humble they might be.

In a world where it’s easy to merely “occupy space,” I hope my students learned the importance of taking action and using their gifts. We’re meant to do something with the time we’re given, even if it’s as small as gathering empty bottles from a muddy roadside.

Reflecting on my father’s quiet persistence, I see a truth that goes beyond the value of hard work. His life spoke to a deeper calling—one that mirrors our walk of faith. God doesn’t ask us for grand gestures or perfect achievements; He asks us to be faithful with what we have, to act on the opportunities we’re given, no matter how small they seem. In His hands, even the simplest efforts can bear fruit.