Parable of the Talents
Matthew 25:14-30
The parable of the Talents, to be honest, was not one that I knew a lot about. It’s not usually the one they teach in Sunday school, but that doesn’t diminish its meaning. In fact, because this may be a new passage to some, we should lean in and investigate what the text is telling us; that’s exactly what we're going to do together.
A talent, in this context, is not an ability but a sum of money. One talent during this time was equivalent to 6000 denari - it would take a laborer twenty years to earn so much (Carson, Blue Letter Bible) in modern day (and US dollars) that is $1,200. All this to say, it was a VERY large amount of money. The master entrusted it to its servants to keep and manage. As we read, we get an idea of the differences between how the first two servants managed their talents in comparison to the third.
The point of this parable is not to teach those listening about money management but more about their personal motivation and discipline to put effort towards the work entrusted to them. The first two servants who traded their talents reaped a great reward and were rewarded the honor and pride of their master (V23). It didn’t matter how much money they made; it mattered that they tried and worked actively to give an account to their master. For the third servant who did nothing? His work was met with very severe scrutiny from his master, and he was seen as lazy and wicked (V26).
When it comes to how we invest in the Kingdom of God, do we expect to receive in abundance, or do we have a scarcity mindset? Do we believe that God will use our efforts and that our treasure will be in heaven? Or do we think that we have to hold on to what we got because we don’t know if it will stick around?
Jesus teaches this parable as a reminder that the goodness and gifts from our Father above will unfold before us in His glory. The third servant did not have reverence for his master or the talents, and now his character is called out (Proverbs 15:16). This parable could be applied to how we manage money, but really it’s more about our personal accountability to invest in the Kingdom of God through our efforts and time. We are entrusted with a grace that was not only meant for us but for growth and to be expressed to those around us. Reflect on this parable and where you feel like God is asking you to invest your time, talents, and treasure:
“Remember, my hearer, that in the day of judgment, thy account must be personal; God will not ask you what your church did — he will ask you what you did yourself.” (Spurgeon)
