The parable of the talents is one of the best known of all Jesus' teachings. Its point is virtually impossible to miss. The master entrusted his servants with talents (a significant amount of money in the ancient world - one talent was the rough equivalent of 15 years wages for the average worker). The servant who received five talents was wise; he invested his talents and doubled their value. The servant who buried his talent in the ground was foolish, and thereby lost what little he had. Lots of lessons here:

• be good stewards of your ability - use it or lose it; * don't be afraid to try;

• never say, "I have so little, my contribution won't matter;

• people may not be equal in talent but they can surely be equal in effort.

You can probably think of a few others you have heard. Rega…