In Matt 25:14-30, Jesus' parable of the 'talents,' what is he teaching?

Submitted by NewOldSalt on Wed, Feb 4, 2009 - 8:45 pm
Just what it says in the parable, in the "old days" a 'talent' was a unit of money. Get as much money and property as possible.
0% (0 votes)
God knows the future, and knew that a 'talent' would no longer be used as a word for money, but abilities, God's gifts…
50% (1 vote)
It is a small lesson about hoarding. We must all use what God gave us, great or small, or it becomes worthless and we lose it.
50% (1 vote)
Other — Please comment below.
0% (0 votes)
Total votes: 2

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NewOldSalt

Wed, Feb 4, 2009 - 8:50 pm

Here it is from the WEB version of the Bible:

25:14 “For it is like a man, going into another country, who called his own servants, and entrusted his goods to them. 25:15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each according to his own ability. Then he went on his journey. 25:16 Immediately he who received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 25:17 In the same way, he also who got the two gained another two. 25:18 But he who received the one went away and dug in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.

25:19 “Now after a long time the lord of those servants came, and reconciled accounts with them. 25:20 He who received the five talents came and brought another five talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents. Behold, I have gained another five talents besides them.’

25:21 “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

25:22 “He also who got the two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents. Behold, I have gained another two talents besides them.’

25:23 “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

25:24 “He also who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you that you are a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter. 25:25 I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the earth. Behold, you have what is yours.’

25:26 “But his lord answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant. You knew that I reap where I didn’t sow, and gather where I didn’t scatter. 25:27 You ought therefore to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back my own with interest. 25:28 Take away therefore the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents. 25:29 For to everyone who has will be given, and he will have abundance, but from him who doesn’t have, even that which he has will be taken away. 25:30 Throw out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

NewOldSalt

Wed, Feb 4, 2009 - 9:20 pm

The reason I tagged this item with "In the News" is because of all the money grabbing that is going on. It's as though some people thought God/Jesus/etc... will be impressed with cash in the mattress, big bank accounts, tons of gold, houses galore.

As far as I'm concerned this option is a "no-brainer."

God knows the future, and knew that a 'talent' would no longer be used as a word for money, but abilities, God's gifts…

alsmusic

Tue, Feb 10, 2009 - 9:48 pm

It seems to me that this is a lesson about the "Scarcity" complex; in other words, "Money is like manure, it only works if it is spread around" ... and it is a small lesson about hoarding ... But I can't say I feel that I understand anything else about these passages other than that we must all use what God gave us, great or small, or it becomes worthless and we lose it.

NewOldSalt

Wed, Feb 11, 2009 - 2:48 pm

I made the "Other" option specifically so folks could suggest their own options. However, there is a "number of characters" limitation.

I have taken a stab at rephrasing what you wrote. Please correct me if I'm wrong and suggest another phrasing. I think the character limit is ~ 128.

BTW - I like your option. I think there is some overlap between them, but I'm going to stick with mine for now. :-)

NewOldSalt

Sun, Apr 5, 2009 - 5:47 pm

Your comment, to me, contains a few separate issues.

  • I agree it could be categorized as “small.”
  • I agree it is a lesson.
  • I agree that God gives us things.
  • I agree God wants us to use the things God gave us.
  • I agree that God gives us small things, great things, etc…
  • I disagree that what God gives can become worthless.

God’s Gifts Maintain Eternal Value

I don’t believe God rots. I don’t think God degrades. A belt stashed near a river may be ruined by water and dirt, but God’s spirit is the gift that gives for eternity, and only gets better with age.

This can be determined from the following passages:
Matthew 6:19-21 (WEB)

“Don’t lay up treasures for yourselves on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don’t break through and steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

John 14:27 (NIV)

I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John 2:1-11 (Wedding wine parable)

In fact, just responding to this has given me an idea for a new essay: Good News About God’s Giving.