I have not, yet, commented on the promotion of Rush Limbaugh. Unfortunately, I was working yesterday and let's just say the company I work for, sadly and as usual, misjudged the amount of work assigned to me and I found myself in the field until 10:30 PM, four hours past my shift end time. There was simply no time last night to do justice to this great man. I shall attempt to do so now, however, no attempt shall even come close to the greatness of this man, now so poorly honored.
"Talent on loan from God" was a overt message to those familiar with the basic tenets of Christianity and the parables of Christ. The parable of the talents attempts to teach the stewardship requirements of the followers of Christ. Talent, among the Hebrews, was a gold coin, the same with a shekel of gold. It's fortuitous at least, providential more likely, that the word has survived and made it into the English language as something of value, intrinsic to the person, given by God. Rush was a humble man and not always literal in his sayings. Willing to exploit double and triple meanings in language to add nuance for his listeners. Without further ado, the parable in question:
The Parable of the Talents
“For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
“So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
“Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’
“But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.
‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Rush could have said "talents on loan from God" but he did not, humility perhaps, a better turn of phrase maybe, be that as it may. He also said many times there are no accidents, everything is planned and orchestrated, for good and for evil. It is easy to see for me, clearly this man was given five talents and returned many more through hard work, dedication and faith in God and the Godliness of the American people. He spoke the truth in love. And not unlike the audience of the sermon on the mount, we were astonished at his teaching, for he taught us as one having authority. He based this authority on the Word of God, on the constitution of the United States of America, common sense and the Goodness of the American people, with irreverent humor and a great love for the same. We are and will always remain astonished!
