Scripture:
Matthew 25:14-30 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
The Parable of the Talents
14 "For it is just like a man going on a journey. (A) He called his own slaves and turned over his possessions to them. 15 To one he gave five talents; [a] to another, two; and to another, one—to each according to his own ability. Then he went on a journey. (B) Immediately 16 the man who had received five talents went, put them to work, and earned five more. 17 In the same way the man with two earned two more. 18 But the man who had received one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master's money.
19 "After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five talents approached, presented five more talents, and said, 'Master, you gave me five talents. Look, I've earned five more talents.'
21 "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master's joy! (C) '
22 "Then the man with two talents also approached. He said, 'Master, you gave me two talents. Look, I've earned two more talents.'
23 "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master's joy!'
24 "Then the man who had received one talent also approached and said, 'Master, I know you. You're a difficult man, reaping where you haven't sown and gathering where you haven't scattered seed. (D) 25 So I was afraid and went off and hid your talent in the ground. Look, you have what is yours.'
26 "But his master replied to him, 'You evil, lazy slave! (E) If you knew that I reap where I haven't sown and gather where I haven't scattered, 27 then [b] you should have deposited my money with the bankers. And when I returned I would have received my money [c] back with interest.
28 " 'So take the talent from him and give it to the one who has 10 talents. 29 For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have more than enough. But from the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. (F) 30 And throw this good-for-nothing slave into the outer darkness. (G) In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
Footnotes:
Matthew 25:15 Worth a very large sum of money; a talent = 6,000 denarii
Matthew 25:27 Or So you knew . . . scattered? Then (as a question)
Matthew 25:27 Lit received what is mine
Cross references:
Matthew 25:14 : Lk 19:12-27;
Matthew 25:15 : Mt 18:24; Lk 19:13; Rm 12:6; 1Co 12:11; Eph 4:7;
Matthew 25:21 : Mt 24:45;, 47; Lk 12:44; 22:28; Heb 12:2;
Matthew 25:24 : 1Sm 25:3; 2Co 8:12;
Matthew 25:26 : Pr 20:4; Mt 18:32; Rm 12:11;
Matthew 25:29 : Mt 13:12; Mk 4:25; Lk 8:18; 19:26; Jn 15:2;
Matthew 25:30 : Mt 8:12; 22:13; Lk 13:28;
Reflection:
What can economics and productivity teach us about the kingdom of heaven? Jesus' story about a businessman who leaves town and entrusts his money with his workers made perfect sense to his audience. Wealthy merchants and businessmen often had to travel abroad and leave the business to others to handle while they were gone. Why did Jesus tell this story? Most importantly it tells us something about how God deals with us, his servants. The parable speaks first of the Master's trust in his servants. While he goes away he leaves them with his money to use as they think best. While there were no strings attached, this was obviously a test to see if the Master's workers would be industrious and reliable in their use of the money entrusted to them. Third, the master rewards those who are industrious and faithful and he punishes those who sit by idly and who do nothing with his money.
The essence of the parable seems to lie in the servants' conception of responsibility. Each servant entrusted with the master's money was faithful up to a certain point. The servant who buried the master's money was irresponsible. One can bury seeds in the ground and expect them to become productive because they obey natural laws. Coins, however, do not obey natural laws. They obey economic laws and become productive in circulation. The master expected his servants to be productive in the use of his money.
What do coins and the law of economics have to do with the kingdom of God? The Lord entrusts the subjects of his kingdom with gifts and graces and he gives his subjects the freedom to use them as they think best. With each gift and talent, God gives sufficient the means (grace and wisdom) for using them in a fitting way. As the parable of the talents shows, God abhors indifference and an attitude that says it's not worth trying. God honors those who use their talents and gifts for doing good. Those who are faithful with even a little are entrusted with more! But those who neglect or squander what God has entrusted to them will lose what they have, the firs will be last and the last shall be first? There is an important lesson here for us. No one can stand still in the Christian life. We either get more or we lose what we have. We either advance towards God or we slip back. Do you earnestly seek to serve God with the gifts, talents, and graces he has given to you?
Prayer For The Day:
Lord, be the ruler of my heart and thoughts, be the king of my home and relationships, and be the master of my work and service. Help me to make good use of the gifts, talents, time, and resources you give me for your glory and your kingdom.
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