Faith and Finances
God, is the supreme Owner who gives money or other kinds of resources to mankind. In the parable of the talents we see the God who gives but also demands stewardship. Talents were coins i.e. means of trading and doing business - and this was given according to abilities. Let us examine the word abilities first ... It comes from "Dunamai" force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself) -- ability, abundance, meaning, might(-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle(-s), power, strength, violence, mighty (wonderful) work. It suggests that we can and do have power with God i.e. a measure of level of devotion, connection, and divine alignment that comes with being filled with the Holy Ghost. This word also suggests strength and violence to bring divine purpose to pass...we therefore have our abilities...our "Dunamai" to trade...
Unless you live in the middle of nowhere and never talk to anyone or watch any TV or listen to the radio, you know about the current financial situation that is sweeping the world. Families are losing their livelihood when companies lay-off thousands of workers. The elderly are losing their retirement savings with almost daily downward swings in the stock market. Everyone keeps losing losing money while the prices on groceries, heat, and other necessary items keep going up.