Hebraic Musing – Is the Parable of the Talents in Matthew about Money?
Or could Jesus be
more concerned about our Talents or attributes or characteristics? In Matthew 25 Jesus provides a parable describing
a master who gives “Talents” and instructions to his servants before departing
on a long journey and leaving his servants with “Talents”, which are often
translated as money. When the master
comes back, what does master expect a servant to have done with the money? Or are we to be more concerned with what
we’ve done with our Talents or our attributes or character or gifts that Jesus
has given us?
Jesus’ parable - “For the
kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants
and delivered his goods to them. And to
one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according
to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.” Matthew 25:14-15
NKJV Jesus left us 2,000 years ago, but he didn’t
journey that far!
When
He comes back, what does Jesus expect to find that we have done with our
Talents or attributes or character or gifts?
In the next two verses, Vs.16&17, Jesus describes what
the servants did who were faithful. “Then he who had received the five talents went and traded
with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained
two more also.” Those
servants were appreciative, did right, and had good reports. Then Jesus gets to the point of the
parable. “But
he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord's money.” v.18
He continues. “After a long time the lord of those servants came and
settled accounts with them. So he who
had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord,
you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides
them. His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant;
you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things.
Enter into the joy of your lord.’ He
also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two
talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and
faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you
ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.” Vs.19-23
Finally in Vs.24-25 - “Then he who
had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a
hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not
scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in
the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.”
How did the Lord respond to “talents” being wasted? “But his lord
answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I
reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with
the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. Therefore take the talent from him,
and give it to him who has ten talents.” Vs.26-28
And Jesus pronounces the penalty for not utilizing our talents or
attributes or character or gifts. “For to everyone who has, more will be given,
and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he
has will be taken away. And cast
the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and
gnashing of teeth.” Vs.29-30
I don’t know how to explain it more clearly. Jesus expects us to use the gifts he has
given us for the work of His Kingdom.
What gifts has Jesus given each of us?
Let’s see, there’s Salvation, and family, and Brothers & Sisters,
and wealth, and teachings, and His Word, and ………..
Peter
heard this message and understood. “As
each one has received a gift, minister it to one another,
as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” 1 Peter 4:10
NKJV
And Paul said - “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there
are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the
profit of all.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-7
Points to Ponder
What are we supposed to be doing with our talents,
attributes, gifts (& Xmas bonuses)?
Was some of our money a blessing? What to do with it?
How would you like to hear Jesus say to you “Well done, good and faithful servant”?
Have
a Happy and Prosperous New Year!
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith”
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)” Weekly “Hebraic Musings” insightsbyyosef.blogspot.com
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