Variety God's law

God gives to one five, and to another two talents, because the Creator is a lover of variety. It was said that order is heaven's first law; surely variety is the second; for in all God's works, there is the most beautiful diversity.

• Look ye towards the heavens at night: all the stars shine not with the same brilliance, nor are they placed in straight lines, like the lamps of our streets.

• Then turn your eyes below: see in the vegetable world, how many great distinctions there are, ranging from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop on the wall, or the moss that is smaller still. See how from the huge mammoth tree, that seems as if beneath its branches it might shade an army, down to the tiny lichen, God hath made everything beautiful, but everything full of variety. Look on any one tree, if you please: see how every leaf differs from its fellow—how even the little tiny buds that are at this hour bursting at the scent of the approaching perfume of spring, differ from each other—not two of them alike.

•  Look again, upon the animated world: God Hath not made every creature like unto another. How wide the range—from the colossal elephant to the coney that burrows in the rock—from the whale that makes the deep hoary with its lashing, to the tiny minnow that skims the brook; God hath made all things different, and we see variety everywhere.

• I doubt not it is the same, even in heaven, for there there are” thrones, and dominions, and principalities, and powers”—different ranks of angels, perhaps, rising tier upon tier. “One star different from another star in glory.” And why should not the same rule stand good in manhood ( C. H. Spurgeon. )

Diversity in service Every one hath his service and opportunity to do something for God; all offered to the tabernacle gold, or silver, or brass, or shittim-wood, or goats' hair, or badgers' skins. So, as Christ went to Jerusalem, some strewed the way with garments, others cut down branches, some cried “Hosanna”; that was all they could do. ( T. Manton. )

Diversity in ability There is a diversity as to the measure and degrees. Every barque that saileth to heaven doth not draw a like depth. ( T. Manton. )

Our account with God Who made thee to differ? ( Ro 12:35 ). “For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things.” The sun oweth nothing to the stars, nor the fountain to the streams. Our account must be answerable to our receipts; there is a proportion of return expected. ( T. Manton. )

Diversity of talent helpful to service God will have this difference for the beauty and order of the whole; variety is more grateful. Hills and valleys make the world beautiful; so do distinct orders, ranks, and degrees of men.

As divers countries have divers commodities, so society will be maintained among mankind; so God in His Church hath given to one gifts, to another grace, to maintain a holy society and spiritual commerce among themselves.

Talents given for activity Strength is not to be wasted in sin and vanity, but employed for God. It is better it should be worn out with labors than eaten out with rust. ( T. Manton. )

Nothing idle in nature In the whole course of nature nothing is idle; the sun and the stars do perpetually move and roll up and down; the earth bringeth forth; the seas have their ebbings and flowings, and the rivers their courses; the angels are described with wings, as ready to fulfil God's commandment, and run to do His pleasure. It were an unworthy thing, among so many examples and patterns of diligence, for man alone to be idle. ( T. Manton. )

Faithfulness the main thing

This parable turns on moral quality rather than on ability. Its key-note is not five talents, nor two talents, nor one talent, but faithfulness to all three.

It is faithfulness, and not amount , which links the talent to the joy of the Lord, the “few things” to the “many.” T he amount of ability is not the first thing for us to consider; it is the faithful use of whatever ability we have. To use aright we must  be  right.

Vigorous use of talent is not necessarily right use , for unfaithfulness is vigorous also. ( Marvin R. Vincent, D. D. )