Matthew 25:14-30 The Parable of the Talents
“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. 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. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. 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.’
“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.’
“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. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.
‘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.’”
Jesus wants his disciples to be prepared for his death, resurrection, and particularly for his ascension. The disciples cannot dream of a time when Jesus will not be with them, but Jesus knows that time is approaching rapidly. Now Jesus tells another story to prepare the disciples.
A wealthy merchant is leaving for another country to do more trading and wants to bless three of his choicest servants. Notice that this man undoubtedly has a large retinue in his household but has singled these three out for special favors. One talent is equivalent to 6000 denarii, or 20 years’ wages for a day laborer. The servant who receives 5 talents is receiving the equivalent of 100 years’ wages for a day laborer, while the one receiving 2 talents is receiving 40 years’ worth, and the one receiving one talent, 20 years’ worth. Big money!
These men must have done outstanding work for the merchant for years to be trusted so much. The merchant understands that these three men do not have the same degree of ability, so he assigns different amounts to them, assuming that they will actively trade and report to him when he returns. The first two servants do very well, doubling the money left by the merchant. But the third fellow is a Gloomy Gus, one of those guys who can find a cloud for every silver lining rather than a silver lining in every cloud. Rather than being thrilled at the trust and favor the merchant has placed in him, this sourpuss digs a hole and hides the coins in it.
The day of reckoning comes, and the merchant returns. “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.’”
So far, so good. But what of the man who was given one talent? Had this man doubled the money entrusted to him, he would have received the same commendation as the first two. He could have received a kiss of peace and lived out the rest of his days in honor, but he has failed. “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.’
“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.“
Why has the third servant messed up so badly? Despite long years of service, this poor man has refused to learn the true nature of his warm-hearted master. He also has wasted those years doing only what is necessary without realizing his own potential. The master has believed more in this servant than has the servant himself. Most sadly, this servant has failed to use all his God-given abilities to achieve as much as possible.
Jesus wants his disciples, both current and future, to learn to trust God and to use all the abilities that God has given them as much as possible. Even during the times when we might feel that we have absolutely nothing to work with, God has already provided for us.
In the burning bush interview with Moses in Exodus 3, God asks Moses, “What’s that in your hand?” Moses is holding his shepherd’s staff. God will use that staff to do miracles, but Moses must carry the staff and hold it up or out when God directs him to do so. It’s likely that when God asks Moses “What’s that in your hand?” Moses’ first reaction is, “Huh?” Moses has all kinds of excuses why he’s not the right person to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. “Here am I, Lord, send Aaron!” But God wants to use Moses and his staff.
During our years on the mission field, many times we have found ourselves in a situation akin to that of Moses. We might feel we have nothing to work with; meanwhile, God is insisting that we re-examine our situation. And each time we have reluctantly reassessed our resources, we have found something small that we have yet to use. When we have begun using whatever God has given us, He gives us more and better equipment or resources. But we must make the start. We will get nothing if we don’t make an attempt to work.
In 1924 Kittie L. Suffield wrote a poem that has become a treasured hymn.
“Little IS Much When God Is in It”
1 In the harvest field now ripened
There’s a work for all to do;
Hark! the voice of God is calling
To the harvest calling you.
Refrain:
Little is much when God is in it,
Labor not for wealth or fame;
There’s a crown, and you can win it,
If you go in Jesus’ name.
2 Does the place you’re called to labor
Seem too small and little known?
It is great if God is in it,
And He’ll not forget His own. [Refrain]
3 When the conflict here is ended
And our race on earth is run,
He will say, if we are faithful,
“Welcome home, My child, well done!”
Refrain:
Little is much when God is in it,
Labor not for wealth or fame;
There’s a crown, and you can win it,
If you go in Jesus’ name.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, thank You for the abilities that You have given us. Help us to use those abilities to Your glory, recognizing that You are the One who will provide for us. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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