It is a usual way of expressing the miseries of the damned in hell. It is a great responsibility with great reward as described in the Parable of the Talents. Also the description of the last judgment. The one who has been faithful on earth with a little thing like money will be given greater work to do in heaven. Assuming, for the moment, that the slave was correct in his assessment, why would he not be motivated by his fear to seek a profit for his master? 27So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. He didnt even hand the money over to bankers,276 to let them go to work with it. Sometimes it is merely a connective, a virtual conjunction. I believe this may be the case in our text. He took his talent from him, gave it to the one who earned ten, and cast this fellow into outer darkness, where there was weeping and gnashing of teeth. See, you have what is yours. 26 But his master answered, Evil and lazy slave! Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. It is the real Christian's liberty and privilege to be employed as his Redeemer's servant, in promoting his glory, and the good of his people: the love of Christ constrains him to live no longer to himself, but to Him, that died for him and rose again. It may be that you are not like the first two slaves, but like the third. 2 Samuel 7:1-3 And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him rest round about from all his enemies; , 1 Chronicles 13:1-3 And David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and with every leader, 1 Chronicles 22:1-26:32 Then David said, This is the house of the LORD God, and this is the altar of the burnt offering for Israel. New King James Version (NKJV). 5 The one who conquers will be dressed like them in white clothing, and I will never erase his name from the book of life, but will declare his name before my Father and before his angels. Bob was born and raised in a Christian home i More, The Net Pastors Journal, Eng. Ed, Issue 46, Winter 2023. man goes to another country, stays a long time, and then returns. We should be careful to recognize that in this parable the mere possession of a talent is not evidence of salvation. Dont bury what God has entrusted to you; go to work with it, for the glory of God, and for your eternal rewards. Dont blame it on God. Jesus was also the stone rejected by builders, yet he became the capstone (Matthew 21:42). Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, NT Gospels: Matthew 25:16 Immediately he who received the five talents (Matt. The Chapel believes the material presented herein to be true to the teaching of Scripture, and desires to further, not restrict, its potential use as an aid in the study of Gods Word. I am suggesting that the way some Christians look forward to, or practice, retirement is a form of burying your talent. Other, another (of more than two), different. 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. Our receiving from Christ is in order to our working for him. It was not the masters problem; it was the slaves problem. 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. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. This slave actually thinks of his master as though he were a Pharaoh in character. Playlist: Go to the Parable of the Talents (topic) playlist . Copyright 2002-2023 Got Questions Ministries. Download our craft directions below, gather your craft supplies, and watch the example video as you prepare to teach. When God created Adam and Eve and placed them in the Garden of Eden, He gave them work to do. We are not saved by good works, but we are saved unto good works: 8 For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 it is not from works, so that no one can boast. In a similar way, in the parable of the soils (Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23) the mere germination of the seed does not seem to represent salvation. Remember, this is a parable, and all ofJesus parables are about a bit more than they seem. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, [1] each according to his ability. 24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. After centuries of Israelites seeing themselves as Gods only favored people, he opened things up for Gentiles to become co-heirs (Ephesians 3:6). Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. The Gospels make it clear many times that Jesus was the king of the Jews, but came in a way they did not expect, preaching a message many didnt want to hear. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. I am saying that our labors for the kingdom have no point of termination except for our Lords return, and even then fruitful labor will continue in heaven. third servant hides what was entrusted to him. 17So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. Weeping and gnashing of teeth in outer darkness must, on the other hand, involve spending eternity without God, and without joy. Father, deliver me from this hour? I think we could all agree that the salvation of lost souls is a profit for the kingdom. 18But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lords money. Each of these things (and many others) are given by God, to use in ways that glorify him and draws others toward him. At this point we would probably do well to look at work from a broader perspective; we should consider work from the beginning of time to eternity future. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. We often mix up the word talent in the currency sense with our modern English word talent meaning gifts, and its important to understand the money context of what Jesus was saying. You may unsubscribe from Bible Gateways emails at any time. Heaven is described in terms of work, not play, of activity, not passivity. Thus, we can safely conclude that edification or spiritual growth is also profitable for the kingdom of heaven. 30 And throw that worthless slave into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 25:13-30). The second and third soils represent those who initially show some interest in the gospel, but then reject it when the meaning of the gospel becomes clear. 14 For it is like a man going on a journey, who summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them. in 1971. He wanted to know how much they had earned by trading. 269 Copyright 2005 by Community Bible Chapel, 418 E. Main Street, Richardson, TX 75081. I realize that I am going to pull some whiskers by what I am about to say, but I think that I am being true to our text, and to the Bible as a whole. The master rebuked this slave for being evil and lazy. The publication of this material is a grace ministry of Community Bible Chapel. What Does It Really Mean That Your Body Is a Temple? The true believer is represented by the seed that grows, that endures, and that bears fruit. Bob is a pastor/teacher and elder at Community Bible Chapel in Richardson, Texas, and has contributed many of his Bible study series for use by the Foundation. The slothful servant is sentenced to be deprived of his talent. God entrusted Israel, and especially its leaders, with the truth, and they did not use it properly. See, I have gained two more.' 23 His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! He does not go to work with his masters money, over a lengthy period of time, and thus make a profit. I am now inclined to say that verse 13 fits best with verses 14-30. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Rich Fool? Sometimes the term is not translated at all. Includes discussion questions and verse by verse commentary for small groups. In fact, if this were to take place today, that money would likely be worth less, due to inflation. 281 Remember that one manifestation of the harshness or hardness of Nabal was that he refused to reward David for his faithful service to him (1 Samuel 25:2-13). Get our Question of the Week delivered right to your inbox! Speed and thrust increase. It is not the money that goes to work, as such, but the worker. Before he goes, the master brings his servants together (three in the Matthew version, 10 in the Luke version). He contended that this is why he was afraid to take a risk with any kind of investment. The parable begins with a master planning a trip (Luke describes him as going off to be made king of a distant land). third servant does not make a profit for his master. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Wedding Feast? 21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He gives each of them some money. A popular job website lists theaverage monthly wage for Americans in 2021 as $5,555 per month. In Matthew, this is especially clear in 12:40; 24:27, 37. 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. Some say that it was the equivalent to 20 years wages for a common laborer.275 We must remember, then, that a talent is a measure of money; it is not a reference to abilities. So, whatever we are doing (provided its not a sinful activity), we serve God well by doing it well. 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? He gives each slave an amount of money, referred to as talents and possibly talents of gold, based upon that man's ability to steward and care for the money. But the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. Im not saying that one should never cease their employment nor end their career. Our Lords teaching in the parable of the talents is that God expects profit that is the product of our labors. Does verse 13 belong with verses 1-12, or with verses 14-30? Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden - Bible Story, The Ten Commandments - Bible Verses and Importance Today, Parable of the Prodigal Son - Bible Story, The Resurrection of Jesus - Bible Story and Prophecy. average monthly wage for Americans in 2021. Dr. Ron Jones, Using Your Talents for the Glory of God 24:47; 25:34, 46; Luke 12:44; 22:29, 30; Rev. To offer, give; I put, place. No, but for this very reason I have come to this hour. He provides the money and the ability, but we are expected to work hard with what He has given us, for the profit of the kingdom. Luke has an interesting addition at the end, noting that after that, the master then executed the men who tried to keep him from becoming king (Luke 19:27). Specifically, I am speaking of Matthew 25:13: Therefore stay alert, because you do not know the day or the hour (Matthew 25:13). Parable of the Talents 7 And so, since we have been justified by his grace, we become heirs with the confident expectation of eternal life. 8 This saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on such truths, so that those who have placed their faith in God may be intent on engaging in good works. 29 For the one who has will be given more, and he will have more than enough. The apocalyptic context is underscored in Lukes version, where people try to keep the master from becoming king and are killed for their rebellion. What, then, is the root of this third slaves problem? It is from the use of the word "talents" in this parable that we moderns have derived its common meaning of natural gifts and endowments. Each (of more than two), every one. Matthew 25:29 (NIV) ANSWERS. Works are the result of faith, not a substitute for faith. Then he went on his journey. The second servant has made (five minas from one mina, or four talents from two talents). Those who know not the day of their visitation shall have the things that belong to their peace hid from their eyes. And the longer the master was gone, the more interest was lost by the slaves inactivity. The masters dealings with the third servant is a very different matter. The Parable of the Talents 22 The servant who had received the two talents also came and said, 'Master, you entrusted me with two talents. But each man doubled his masters money. In other words, Luke informs us that Jesus told this parable specifically to correct some misconceptions about the time of His return. Different. To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. Let them go and collect straw for themselves. This slave does absolutely nothing with the talent that has been entrusted to him, nothing but bury it, that is.277 We need to distinguish between his excuses and the masters assessment, both of which are conveyed in our text. 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? As his grand finale, the man reached in and pulled the tigers whiskers. The parable of the talents is one of those Bible stories most of us know, yet its hard to understand. 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. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. English Standard Version (ESV). This whole matter of profit expands the teaching of our Lord in Matthew 6: 19 Do not accumulate for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. He then gives several messages and illustrations: - The wise and faithful servant (Matthew 24:45-51), - The parable of the 10 virgins (Matthew 25:1-13). What is the meaning of the Parable of the Good Samaritan? Jesus tells the Parable of the Talents (or the Talents' parable) to his disciples. Faithful service led to increased responsibilities in the kingdom of heaven, and eternal joy in the presence of the Master, Jesus Christ. The second slave presents his master with four talents. In our text, the good slave is the useful or beneficial slave, for he has gained a profit for his master.278 He is also faithful because he has been at work with his masters money from the time he left until the time he returned. Unwrap the Gift. This is the reason I was critical of the translation of verse 16 (see footnote 1 above). His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 29 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. 6 The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches (Revelation 3:1-6, emphasis mine). The masters return presumably refers to the last days when Jesus will return, and at the final judgment unrepentant sinners will perish and those served God will be rewarded according to their actions (Revelation 20:11-15) (1 Corinthians 3:12-15). "Parable of the Talents" Bible Craft Demonstration Use these hands-on learning activities when teaching from Matthew 25:14-30, where Jesus told the Parable of the Talents. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Sheep and Goats? But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. 13:12; Mark 4:25; Luke 8:18; [John 15:2], NKJV, Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible, 2nd Edition, Comfort Print: Growing in Knowledge and Understanding of God Through His Word, NKJV, Chronological Study Bible, Comfort Print: Holy Bible, New King James Version, NKJV, Spirit-Filled Life Bible, Third Edition, Red Letter Edition, Comfort Print: Kingdom Equipping Through the Power of the Word. The master goes on his journey, which Luke notes has some opposition (Luke 19:14-15). Look, But his lord answered and said to him, You. These folks were a more honest (hopefully) version of money changer than those who did business in the temple precincts. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Ten Minas? It is indeed unfortunate that the term talent means something very different today from what our Lord meant when He told this parable. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made. Luke, the man who went away gives each servant the same amount of money (one mina); in Matthew, talents are given to the three slaves according to their ability. 4:7; 1 Pet. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry (Matthew 11:28-30). Why, then, did the third slave do nothing? I wonder how many of us are simply giving back money that we have not put to use. All rights reserved. However, Jesus claimed kingship in a way that confused many people, and the way his kingdom operates often offends our sense of propriety. Seeking the Gospel in Malachi, the Last Book of the Old Testament. 46 Blessed is that slave whom the master finds at work when he comes. Eventually, he tells his sister he will go to the Olympics and then to the mission field, because both honor God. All three stories are about being given something which must be used well, and the consequences of neglecting or abusing it. Literal Standard Version And he who received the five talents, having gone, worked with them, and made five other talents; Majority Standard Bible The servant who had received the five talents went at once and put them to work and made five more. 12 For though you should in fact be teachers by this time, you need someone to teach you the beginning elements of Gods utterances. We should carefully note the outcome of faithful service, and of unfaithful service, in this parable. Talents. (2) Many of the commentaries acknowledge the abruptness of verse 14 as the first verse of a new paragraph. As I was teaching the parable of the virgins, I could not see how verse 13 served as any kind of conclusion to the first 12 verses. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Mustard Seed? What is the meaning of the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector? Parables of Jesus by James Montgomery Boice. This servant offered a feeble excuse for his conduct. Multiply Your Talents And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his . I will end with these words from our Lord to the church at Sardis. What if the church were to be scrutinized as a business? 16 The one who had received five talents went off right away and put his money to work270 and gained five more. If we seek to shun the work our Lord has given us, it betrays a wrong attitude and relationship with our Master. 12:6; 1 Cor. Noelle Kirchner, The Generosity Of God each according to his ability. If Adams sin brought about painful labor for mankind, the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ (the last Adam 1 Corinthians 15:45) brought rest: 28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. The element of money. 14(B)For the kingdom of heaven is (C)like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. The first presents his master with ten talents. 18 It will produce thorns and thistles for you, but you will eat the grain of the field. Start FREE. The third servant did not invest his masters money at all; he dug a hole in the ground and buried his masters money. These rebels are slaughtered. To the first he entrusted five talents, to the second two talents, and to the third one talent. You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. My confident hope is that I will in no way be ashamed but that with complete boldness, even now as always, Christ will be exalted in my body, whether I live or die (Philippians 1:20). Amen (Romans 9:1-5). 271 Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from the NET Bible. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. Let me see if I can defend my allegation. Is this not fruit? Jaye Martin, How to Know Your Life Purpose The Parable of the Talents 21 His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! God made me for a purpose, for China, Liddell says, But he also made me fast, and when I run, I feel his pleasure. You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into (I)the joy of your lord., 24Then 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. For less than $5/mo. 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. Here, (P)you have what is yours. 26But his master answered him, You (Q)wicked and (R)slothful servant! You have been faithful with a few things. It would probably be unwise to study the parable of the talents in Matthew 25 without also considering a similar parable in Luke 19:11-27: 11 While the people were listening to these things, Jesus proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately. (5) In the similar parable in Luke 19 (while told at a different time and with numerous variations), it begins with a time indication: While the people were listening to these things, Jesus proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately (Luke 19:11). Faithful saints are given even greater responsibilities, and even more work. We would probably do well to compare this text with a couple of passages in the Gospel of Luke: 16 So the first one came before him and said, Sir, your mina has made ten minas more. 17 And the king said to him, Well done, good slave! In that place (V)there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.. More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free! Works are fruits that are evidence of true faith (see James 2). Handed down. I thus take verse 13 as the first verse of this new paragraph. Pharaoh was a harsh master. He demanded that the Israelites make bricks, but he refused to supply them with the necessary materials. 17And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. These gifts have been seen to include personal abilities ("talents" in the everyday sense), as well as personal wealth. We must all be reckoned with as to what good we have got to our own souls, and have done to others, by the advantages we have enjoyed. 15To one he gave five (D)talents,[b] to another two, to another one, (E)to each according to his ability. God is both, and his plans will not necessarily make sense to our limited perspectives. Third, they are invited to enter into the joy of your master. Just what does this mean, to enter into the masters joy? And so it is that those who over time work with what they are entrusted, in order to make a profit for their master, are rewarded for their faithfulness. We have the most valuable gift of all, the Word of God and the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ. What is the meaning of the Parables of the Lost Sheep and Lost Coin? [15]And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every . I believe it is his view of his master, and thus the work his master has assigned. first two servants are faithful; they are praised by their master and are given greater authority. 16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. Lets call this aspect of profit exaltation. Those who think it impossible to please God, and in vain to serve him, will do nothing to purpose in religion. He said to him, Why do you ask me about what is good? 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. If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will never know at what hour I will come against you. 47 I tell you the truth, the master will put him in charge of all his possessions (Matthew 24:45-47). 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. The talent of silver (taking silver as worth a little over 5s.