ARE YOU SUFFERING FROM COMPARISONITIS?

“They made the lampstand of pure gold and hammered it out, base and shaft; its flowerlike cups, buds and blossoms were of one piece with it. Six branches extended from the sides of the lampstand--three on one side and three on the other. Three cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms were on one branch, three on the next branch and the same for all six branches extending from the lampstand. And on the lampstand were four cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms. One bud was under the first pair of branches extending from the lampstand, a second bud under the second pair, and a third bud under the third pair--six branches in all. The buds and the branches were all of one piece with the lampstand, hammered out of pure gold. They made its seven lamps, as well as its wick trimmers and trays, of pure gold. They made the lampstand and all its accessories from one talent of pure gold.”

Why are we reading this long passage? Well, as I read it some time ago, it struck me that the lamp stand and its accessories were all made out of a talent of gold. It surprised me because I have always been under the impression that a talent of gold was quite insignificant.
Elsewhere in scripture, we are told the parable of the talents in which the Master gives his 3 servants some talents of gold as he leaves on a journey. One servant got 5 talents, another got two and the other got one talent. Because the others got more than he did, the servant who got one talent was consumed with anger and hatred for his master. Instead of investing in his one talent (which really was a substantial amount judging from the passage above), this servant went and hid his talent in the ground. Of course when the master came back he did not go scot free. His talent was taken from him and he was thrown outside into the darkness where there was weeping and gnashing of teeth.



Are you like the ‘wicked’ servant? His sin was to compare himself to others and to find that he had less than everyone else had. After coming to this conclusion, his silent protest was not to use the gift that he had been given. Don’t be like this servant. Do not compare yourself to others. God works with each of His children in different ways. Whatever He has given you to work with - even if it’s not what you wanted, it can be used to His glory. Put your talent to good use today!