THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS
Matthew 25:14-30.
14. For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves, interested his property to them. 15. To one he gave 5 talents, to another 2, to another 1, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16. The one who had received 5 talents, went off at once and traded with them, and made 5 more talents. 17. In the same way, the one who had 2 talents made 2 more talents. 18. But the one who received 1 talent, went off dug a hole in the ground & hid his master’s money. 19. After a long time the master of the slaves came and settled accounts with them. 20. The one who had received the 5 talents came forward, bringing 5 more talents, saying, master you handed over to me 5 talents; see, I have made 5 more talents. 21. His master said to him, Well done, good and trust worthy slave, you have been trust worthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things, enter into the joy of the master. 22. And the one with the 2 talents came forwards saying, Master you handed over to me 2 talents, see I have made 2 more talents. 23. His master said to him well done good and trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of my many things, enter into the joy of your master. 24. Then the slave who received the 1 talent also came forward, saying, Master I, knew you were a harsh man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you had not scattered seeds. 25. So I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent into the ground. Here you have what is yours. 26. But the master replies you wicked and lazy slave, you knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter. 27. Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received, what was my own with interest. 28. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the 10 talents. 29. For all those who have, more will be given & they will have an abundance, but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 30. As for these worthless slaves, throw him into the outer darkness, where they will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
A talent was an ancient unit measurement Greece Rome Middle East of Gold or Silver. This was equivalent to 6000 Drachmas or Denarii, its weight equivalent to 35 Kilos. This was the largest unit of currency at that time. One who possessed 5 talents of Gold /silver was a multimillionaire by today’s standards. Some calculate the talents equivalent to 20 years of wages for a common worker. Others say this could be $30000/- today or Rs 1.8 Lakhs.
The meaning of the parable extends far beyond financial investments. God has given each one a variety of gifts, and he expects us to employ those gifts in his service. We are not expected not to just do nothing about the gifts. Like the 3 servants each one has a varied amount of gifts. The servant who received 1 talent was not reprimanded for failing to double his talents, he was condemned because he did nothing with what he was given (with the gift that God had given him).
The gifts we receive from God include Skills, Abilities, Families, Family connection, Social Abilities, Education, Experience…Yes TALENTS in today’s connotations.
The point of the parable is to use whatever we have for the greater glory of God. We are to Invest our lives. Not Waste it..
In todays the meaning of the TALENT refers to Skills and Abilities. But here the parable refers to MONEY. It depicts investing not hoarding, as a Godly thing to do, if it accomplishes godly purpose in godly manner.
We should not only invest our Skills & Abilities, but also our Wealth and Resources, made available to us at work. For the affairs of God’s Kingdom. The examples could be volunteers / teachers at Sunday school, Entrepreneurs who give jobs to others, People who initiate AIDS awareness, ..
Compiled By :
Anthony Custodio Fiacre DIAS
Email Address tony@dias.co
Cell # +91 9821342681
16th September 2017.
