Nov 14, Parable of the Talents, Matthew 25:14-30
This parable has the same setting at yesterday’s, Parable of the 10 Virgins. The issue is the second coming of Jesus Christ. The question is whether we will be waiting and watching when Jesus returns. More specifically, will we be like the 5 wise virgins who prepared for the Bridegroom’s coming or like the 5 foolish virgins who were caught unaware. The Parable of the Talents may well give us instructions on how to be like the 5 wise virgins.
A comment can be made about Spiritual Gifts. In language similar to that used in teaching about Spiritual Gifts, the parable describes the five, two, and one bag of gold (talents in KJV) that were given to “each according to his ability” (vs. 15). Romans 12:6a tells us, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” God has given each of us treasures. A talent was a weight measure of precious metal (gold, silver). The talent here really meant a bag of gold not a talent to do something but the analogy fits. You may count material blessings (money) and blessings of opportunity (education, family of origin, Christian heritage, home country) as well as Spiritual Gifts and talents.
How well we use these treasures for the Kingdom until Jesus returns determines how well we wait for His coming. I know several folks who received less in opportunity, talent, and giftedness, but have far surpassed me in serving the Lord.
I knew a man named Billy. Billy had cerebral palsy, MS, or some other crippling disease. He could barely talk or walk and did not own a car. He sold greeting cards house to house in the Dubois/Reynoldsville area. I believe Billy witnessed to far more folks than I ever will. He has also possibly won more souls into the kingdom than many of us put together. I’m not pitying nor condemning myself. I just know God sees all that goes on. He will judge righteously. How well are you investing the treasures you have been given?
14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’
21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’
23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’
26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”
— Matthew 25:14-30
I like Pastor Randy's comments on this parable.
ReplyDeleteOften, God works through people who may be viewed by the world as disabled or weak to do great works for the His kingdom.
Also, I do not believe that we earn God's full acceptance by our works, but there are plenty of scriptures that make it clear that we will be rewarded at the final judgement by how we invest what God has given us, whatever gift or talent that would be.