Matthew 25:14-30
Like the parable of the wise and foolish virgins, the parable of the talents stresses being prepared for judgement. The entire discourse of Matthew 24-25 was given in a relatively private setting, as the disciples sat with Jesus on the Mount of Olives, across from the “beautiful” gate of the temple. This parable presents an image of the Lord’s servants working for Him as they await His return.
“Talents” were actually measures of weight (about 94 pounds). In money, this word applies to both gold and silver, and commonly represents about 3,000 shekels’ value in coins (so a talent of gold had FAR greater value than a talent of silver!). A single silver shekel represented about one week’s wages for an average laborer, so a talent of silver would be nearly lifetime’s income for a common man. A talent of gold would represent an almost inconceivable sum to most people. Jesus does not say if the “talents” in the parable were silver or gold, but even in silver the one-talent man had an extraordinary sum at his disposal!
The “storyline” is straightforward; a wealthy man goes to live in a foreign country for a time, leaving his estate in the hands of three stewards/ servants. No reason is given for his trip, but he clearly expects to return. His wealth was divided according to his servants’ abilities, verse 15. (The word for “servants” shows they were either bondservants or slaves; in effect, they were also part of his “property.”) The master plainly expected them to use his money for his benefit, and the servants understood this.
Two servants invest and double their master’s funds, while the third one buries his portion. When the master returns (vs. 19), the productive stewards’ faithfulness is rewarded, but the unprofitable servant is stripped of his position and expelled from his master’s fellowship (vv. 26- 30). He accuses his master of unjustified severity, but Jesus’ words make a clear distinction between this man’s attitude and the reality of his situation; at verse 24, the servant says, “I know for sure that you are a harsh man…,” but in verse 26, the master’s reply emphasizes a difference: “…since you think this about me….”
Many “incidental” lessons can be seen in this parable along with the main point of always being ready to give an accounting to our Lord for how we have used His blessings.
When the master distributed his wealth to the servants, each “got” some; none were passed over. This is true for us, as God blesses all in some way; no one is ignored by Him. Regardless of the work to which He calls us, God always provides enough “talent” to get the job done!
Not all receive the same gifts, however; as in the parable, each receives “according to his ability.” God does not expect what we cannot do, but He does have the right to expect us to fully use the abilities He provides!
(NOTE: Talents are not just “natural” abilities; God gives both opportunity and potential according to our abilities (cf. Colossians 4:5). We can develop additional talents to use in His service. Those commended in this parable were commended because they were faithful to their master’s instructions, not because of “luck” or some unusual “knack” for business success.)
Notice how the talents were used: Success did not come “automatically” to the five- and two-talent men. They had to “risk” failure to bring their master a profit. No doubt they experienced trials and doubts while their master was away, and were tempted to “play it safe.” They succeeded because they worked hard work to use what their master provided.
In contrast, the one-talent servant failed because…
- He had no faith or confidence in his own abilities, choosing to do nothing. Like many of us, because he did not try, he did not “fail” (in his mind). His words may show jealousy toward his fellow servants, as if he felt slighted that the master trusted him with “only” one talent. Christians are sometimes hindered by an attitude that says “If I can’t do something ‘big’ for God, I won’t do anything at all!” Sometimes we fail simply because we don’t try!
- The one-talent man failed because he had no courage to work. The master clearly saw his potential (vs. 15) but described him as “slothful” (vs. 26), which means negligent or lazy. This man was unwilling to make an effort! We only multiply our “talents” through work!
- Third – and most telling – the one-talent man had no faith in his master; he saw only a “hard” man. Many people see God this way, as One Who “bullies” and “demands His way” in everything. They never see that He Who does “give orders and make demands” also loves and pities us, offers mercy, and feels compassion for us. God never requires us to “do” without also providing the power and ability we need!
When the Master returned, he gave exactly the same commendation (and reward) to the five- and two-talent servants. Along with a double reward he set them in positions of greater authority. He also admitted them into the “joy” (an expression of celebration, banqueting) of their Lord, an expression some commentators interpret to mean he gave them their freedom.
The one-talent man’s “reward” was the consequence of doing nothing; he was expelled from association with his lord. By failing to use what had been given to him, he lost even what he had.
The basic lesson Jesus teaches is that “judgement IS coming,” whether or not we prepare for it (cf. Romans 14:10-12; 2 Corinthians 5:10; & Hebrews 10:26-31). Being prepared or not is entirely up to US!
-Dave Rogers
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