Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson. We should be careful to recognize that in this parable the mere possession of a talent is not evidence of salvation. 27 But as for these enemies of mine who did not want me to be their king, bring them here and slaughter them in front of me!. 27 Now my soul is greatly distressed. You have been faithful with a few things. This was paradise, my friend, and thus their work was not drudgery; it was a delight: 8 The Lord God planted an orchard in the east, in Eden; and there he placed the man he had formed. The second servant has made (five minas from one mina, or four talents from two talents). Jesus tells the Parable of the Talents (or the Talents' parable) to his disciples. In the natural world, talents differ. get answers to your Bible questions from 50+ resources ($2,400+ value! I am reminded of this passage in the Book of Hebrews: 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, we must get rid of every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and run with endurance the race set out for us, 2 keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. What is it that you want Him to find you doing when He returns? The Moody Church, Using Your God-Given Talents What is the meaning of the Parable of the Talents? Burying the talent in the ground is an illustration of using one's God-given gifts for earthly pursuits. The original text is quite clear here it is the first servant (and we assume the second, as well) who immediately sets to work with his masters money. But this work is joyful. The third slave is an entirely different matter. 14 "Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. The master rebuked this slave for being evil and lazy. For less than $5/mo. 23 Why then didnt you put my money in the bank, so that when I returned I could have collected it with interest? 24 And he said to his attendants, Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has ten. 25 But they said to him, Sir, he has ten minas already! 26 I tell you that everyone who has will be given more, but from the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. The similarities between the parable in Matthew 25 and this parable in Lukes Gospel are easily seen: While the parable in Luke is similar to our parable in Matthew 25, there are some significant differences: The temptation is for us to carry details from the parable in Lukes Gospel over to Matthews account, but we should be careful about this, recognizing that these parables, while similar, were told on different occasions and contain significant differences. But none of them adequately explain it. The disciples ask for details about the last days, and Jesus talks about how harsh they will be, warning them to look out for false teachers and so forth. Whatever they may pretend, the fact is, they dislike the character and work of the Lord. He didnt even hand the money over to bankers,276 to let them go to work with it. (4) The expression which begins verse 14 (Greek, w[sper ga.r) is employed 11 times elsewhere in the New Testament (Matthew 12:40; 24:27, 37; 25:14; Luke 17:24; John 5:21, 26; Romans 5:19; 6:19; 11:30; 1 Corinthians 11:12; 15:22; James 2:26). A talent was worth even more: NIV footnotes for the Matthew passage state that one talent was 20 years wages. In my opinion, thats living dangerously. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry (Matthew 11:28-30). Sometimes it is merely a connective, a virtual conjunction. We should carefully note the outcome of faithful service, and of unfaithful service, in this parable. Mat Mt). I am not arguing against retirement in the economic sense. 17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. - Unto one he gave five talents. Works are the result of faith, not a substitute for faith. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Sheep and Goats? The talent was the largest measurement of money in those days. His servants will worship him, 4 and they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads (Revelation 22:1-4). I think we could all agree that the salvation of lost souls is a profit for the kingdom. The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 19Now (H)after a long time the master of those servants came and (I)settled accounts with them. third servant does not make a profit for his master. Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Is retirement a denial, in effect, of the curse? The true believer is represented by the seed that grows, that endures, and that bears fruit. Each one of us needs to ask the question, Just what is it that I am doing that is kingdom work? Just what is it that I am doing for Christ and His kingdom that is profitable? These gifts have been seen to include personal abilities ("talents" in the everyday sense), as well as personal wealth. William Hendriksen, The Gospel of Matthew (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1973), p. 881. The Parable of the Talents. Before he goes, the master brings his servants together (three in the Matthew version, 10 in the Luke version). And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. The first steward is given 5 talents, the second is given two talents and the third is given one. All three stories are about being given something which must be used well, and the consequences of neglecting or abusing it. One's own; by implication, private or separate. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Vineyard? The element of work. The one-talent slave is clearly not saved; he is condemned to hell. 20And 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. 21His master said to him, Well done, good and (J)faithful servant. 4:7; 1 Pet. 14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. The joy that was before our Lord would seem to include the salvation of lost sinners (Luke 15:4-10). 13 And he summoned ten of his slaves, gave them ten minas, and said to them, Do business with these until I come back. 14 But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, We do not want this man to be king over us! 15 When he returned after receiving the kingdom, he summoned these slaves to whom he had given the money. Im not saying that one should never cease their employment nor end their career. You have been faithful in a few things. This parable is not primarily about faith, nor is it about being willing to take a risk (this was merely the wicked slaves excuse). Neuter of a presumed derivative of the original form of tlao; a balance, i.e. Matthew 25:14-30 : The Parable of the Talents. Then he went away. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard? First, the master stayed away for a long time (Matthew 25:19). Then he went on his journey. Jaye Martin, How to Know Your Life Purpose 9 The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow from the soil, every tree that was pleasing to look at and good for food. But a married woman is concerned about the things of the world, how to please her husband. The Bible makes it clear there is no sacred versus secular work in the way we often think. See 1 Corinthians 3:10-15. (M)There will be weeping and (N)gnashing of teeth.. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. Provide a pair of oven gloves. We take a little money and put it in the plate, and by doing so we are laying up treasure in heaven. I dont deny that this is true, in part, but it is not the whole of it. Salt is good, but if salt loses its flavor, how can its flavor be restored? (Luke 14:34). Parable of the Talents Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, NT Gospels: Matthew 25:15 To one he gave five talents (Matt. Its also preceded by a story about a servant not using his position well while the master is away. to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. It was not until after the fall of man that mans labor became toil: 17 But to Adam he said, Because you obeyed your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, You must not eat from it, cursed is the ground thanks to you; in painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. 3 Therefore, remember what you received and heard, and obey it, and repent. They seemed to delight in serving their master, and they were eager to get to work quickly to produce a profit for him. Granted, the interest one gets from a savings account is not the kind of increase one might get from investing in the stock market, but it would at least be a small increase. There is no end to our labors for our God. 16 Then he that had received the five . I thus take verse 13 as the first verse of this new paragraph. Theparable of the talents is told in Matthew 25:14-30 and Luke 19:11-27. From the parable of the talents we seem to be informed that unbelievers are entrusted with certain things, and that they will also give account for their stewardship. See, I have gained two more.' 23 His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! 16 Then he that had received the five talents went and See, I have gained five more. 21 His master answered, Well done, good and faithful slave! I will put you in charge of many things. The slaves excuse was that his master was a harsh man, and this caused him to be afraid of his master, thus doing nothing with the money entrusted to him. (1) Verse 13 does not really seem to fit with verses 1-12, or to contribute to their message. 12:6; 1 Cor. When our Lord talks about the kingdom of heaven in our text and elsewhere, He speaks of it in terms of work, not of relaxation or of play. The Parable of the Talents should encourage us and challenge us to take what God has given us and invest in the kingdom of God. It is available on the Internet at: www.netbible.org. Sometimes the term is not translated at all. each according to his ability. One man may design a church building, a cathedral. Those who think it impossible to please God, and in vain to serve him, will do nothing to purpose in religion. What is your ministry, your unique contribution to the kingdom of God? (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one. The talents Jesus Christ spoke of in the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant ( Matthew 18:21-35) and the Parable of the Talents ( Matthew 25:14-30) referred to the largest unit of currency at the time. Amen (Romans 9:1-5). Different. But Abraham said, Child, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things and Lazarus likewise bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in anguish (Luke 16:25). Pressing this matter just a little further, if the church were to be considered a business and every member were to be viewed as an employee, how many of us should reasonably expect to keep our jobs? [c] (K)You have been faithful over a little; (L)I will set you over much. Kathy Sweeny, Choices Determine Destinies Only the soil that produces a crop is good soil. The first presents his master with ten talents. 270 I hate to have to disagree with the NET Bible translation here, but it seems to me that this translation does not adequately emphasize the force of our Lords carefully chosen words, especially in context. 27Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. I am suggesting that we have come to view retirement as that time in life when we can greatly reduce or terminate our giving, and when we can cease our service. After centuries of Israelites seeing themselves as Gods only favored people, he opened things up for Gentiles to become co-heirs (Ephesians 3:6). If this is the case, and we are to be at work until He comes, then why do we think that reaching a certain age entitles us to cease our labors for Him? 16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. It seems safe to deal with the first two servants together, since they are so similar. In our parable, money is given to us to use, to work with, not just to give back. Please consider their relationship to our text, and to money, time, labor, and profit: 1 To the angel of the church in Sardis write the following: This is the solemn pronouncement of the one who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars: I know your deeds, that you have a reputation that you are alive, but in reality you are dead. wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Traditionally, the parable of the talents has been seen as an exhortation to Jesus' disciples to use their God-given gifts in the service of God, and to take risks for the sake of the Kingdom of God.