To every man God has given "according to his several ability." The talents are not apportioned capriciously. He who has ability to use five talents receives five. He who can improve but two, receives two. He who can wisely use only one, receives one. None need lament that they have not received larger gifts; for He who has apportioned to every man is equally honored by the improvement of each trust, whether it be great or small. The one to whom five talents have been committed is to render the improvement of five; he who has but one, the improvement of one. God expects returns "according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not." 2 Cor. 8:12. 329

Gud har givet ethvert menneske talenter "efter hans evne". Talenterne bliver ikke uddelt i flæng. Den, der er i stand til at udnytte fem, modtager fem. Den, der kun kan bruge to, får to. Den, der kun forstår at benytte én, får én. Ingen behøver at beklage sig over ikke at have modtaget større gaver for den, der har tildelt hvert menneske disse talenter vil blive æret i lige stor grad, når det betroede benyttes, hvad enten det er meget eller lidt. Den, der er blevet betroet fem talenter skal udnytte de fem; men den, der kun er blevet betroet én, skal kun udnytte én. Gud venter at få igen efter vor gode vilje, efter "hvad den evner ikke efter hvad den ikke evner".