Each week I get a dozen or so emails telling me I've been given millions of dollars by some wealthy gentleman in Africa. They are all looking, they say, for someone they can trust to put the money to good use.

I don't know who might think these Internet scams are for real, but some people must think it really is their lucky day and try and collect the funds. As authorities like to say, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."

In today's Gospel reading, Jesus tells a story about a few servants who really did have such a lucky day. "A man going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them," Jesus tells his followers. "To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one."

A wealthy man gives his fortune to his employees, with little in the way of instructions. What did they do?

"Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them, and made another five. Likewise, the one who received two made another two. But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried his master's money."

Even though they weren't given instructions, the first two servants seemed to know what to do. They immediately put their money to work, while the third simply clung to his money. When the man returned, he was immensely pleased with the first two servants' behavior.

"Well done, my good and faithful servant," he tells them. "Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master's joy."

The man is angry with the third servant, asking him why he didn't at least put the money in the bank and gained interest.

"Come share your master's joy," Jesus says in this story. The parable suggests that the first two servants understood what makes the master happy, and shared the master's values. The third servant, on the other hand, simply lived in fear. They are given a great deal by the master, understand how the master would want them to live, and do so, not knowing if and when he might return.

We have all been given a great deal by God. We all have gifts and resources and live in a land of tremendous opportunity. The question today's readings challenges us to ask is whether we are using our "talents" in ways that would make our master happy? Are we using what we have to share Christ's values of love, compassion, and joy? Or are we clinging to what we have in fear of losing it?

I find it very easy to believe that what God has given me is not going to be enough for my life, and grow afraid to share it with others. When I live this way, I generally end up like the third servant in the parable, afraid and alone. And when I invest what I have in the values of the kingdom of God, like the first two servants, more often than not I find that I experience a richer kind of happiness than money can buy.

Internet scams not withstanding, in truth we all have been given a great fortune by a generous tycoon - God. We have been given much to share, and have been given a tremendous opportunity to share in God's joy.

Bill Peatman writes from Napa. He may be reached at bptidings@yahoo.com.