This week we come upon one of the longest parables taught by Jesus. Some translations call it the parable of the talents, others call it the story about investments, bags of gold, parable of three servants
All of the translations to communicate the same message, but have different details that can cause confusion and sometimes even discredit the teaching. To begin with the Biblical use of the term ‘talent’ is a unit of measure, not ones physical ability, as it is commonly used today.
The parable illustrates that the boss is going away and is dividing up what values to him and gives them to 3 employees, according to their ability. The definition of the goods varies…
- silver
- goods
- responsibilities
- wealth
A talent is a unit of measure equivalent to 15-20 years for a laborer. So in summary, the things that was valued by the boss was divided up to be used wisely… Let’s read the passage and see what is uncovered.
The Parable of the Talents
14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants[c] and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents,[d] to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.[e] You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ – Matthew 25:14-30 ESV
In your own words, what do you think Jesus is teaching about?
Jesus taught about the Kingdom of Heaven and was doing some final teaching to his followers before his execution. In this fashion he was referring to himself going away. He knew that he needed to empower his followers with the valuable Kingdom while he was away.
If the parable is Jesus talking about himself going away, what do we think he entrusted to the guys left behind?
Jesus was a carpenter, but there is no recorded information stating that Jesus was financially wealthy. He traveled around in the last three years of his life essentially living off of donations and contributions of others. The one valuable thing that Jesus did have and showed his passion for was people. Remember, his mission…
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Luke 4:18-19 ESV
So in summary of the challenge, Jesus has empowered his followers to take care of his valued possessions, God’s people. For those that get stuck on their talents and abilities in this parable we can see how that teaching does not align with Jesus teaching.
Jesus has a passion for people and He wants each of us to care, nurture, invest and multiply his valuable treasure… which also aligns with his encouragement after his resurrection about growing the Kingdom by sharing the good news, baptizing people in the name of the Trinity and discipling them for growth and maturity.
Now, what is our view of the parable at this point?
As God brings people into your life, He is wanting us to treasure His valuable assets, and He does not just want us to shelter them and protect them, but invest, grow and develop them.
What is the purpose of investing and caring in people for the Kingdom of God?
What are some areas of your life have you been hoarding and protecting but probably not being obedient with the possessions given to you?
There will be an account for how we took care of what has been entrusted to us. Let us be wise this week as we go about our ways. Let us be attentive to the things that are valuable to God and see that we use our time and abilities wisely for His glory, for His objective.