Just as a businessman expects to make a profit, and rejoices when his employees increase his wealth, so God expects a profit and rejoices in it. The Christian should think about retirement in the same way he or she thinks of being single (if, indeed, you are): 32 And I want you to be free from concern. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Is retirement a denial, in effect, of the curse? For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Each (of more than two), every one. Salem Media Group. What is your ministry, your unique contribution to the kingdom of God? God is both, and his plans will not necessarily make sense to our limited perspectives. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, [1] each according to his ability. I will put you in charge of many things. Inductive Bible study of Jesus' parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30. The Parable of the Talents should encourage us and challenge us to take what God has given us and invest in the kingdom of God. Since help was available to him in the Church, the man had no excuse. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Unjust Steward (Luke 16:1-13)? Enter into the joy of your master. 24 Then the one who had received the one talent came and said, Sir, I knew that you were a hard man, harvesting where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. He made his way up to the bars, and then proceeded to harass this awesome beast. 33 Bible Verses about Parable Of Talents Matthew 25:14-30 ESV / 15 helpful votes Not Helpful "For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made. An unmarried woman or a virgin is concerned about the things of the Lord, to be holy both in body and spirit. All rights reserved. Renny and Marina McLean, The Lord Teaches Us to Profit (17) Because thou hast been faithful in a very little.--More literally, because thou didst become faithful. The one who gets the biggest return on investment gets the big promotion. Thus, evangelism is one form of spiritual profit. There is also a message to all mankind. Pertaining to self, i.e. Luke, the man who went away gives each servant the same amount of money (one mina); in Matthew, talents are given to the three slaves according to their ability. This is the reason I was critical of the translation of verse 16 (see footnote 1 above). We would probably do well to compare this text with a couple of passages in the Gospel of Luke: 16 So the first one came before him and said, Sir, your mina has made ten minas more. 17 And the king said to him, Well done, good slave! The parable begins with a master planning a trip (Luke describes him as going off to be made king of a distant land). In short, the talents represent what God has given usour monetary resources, our callings to positions within the church (Ephesians 4:11-16), our natural giftings. 4 But you have a few individuals in Sardis who have not stained their clothes, and they will walk with me dressed in white, because they are worthy. Matthew 25:14. A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined). From that point on work was different; there was a certain futility to work: 18 For I consider that our present sufferings cannot even be compared to the glory that will be revealed to us. Today a talent might be worth a million dollars! Sometimes it is merely a connective, a virtual conjunction. It is the end of the curse, and thus the end of futile labor. The Parable of the Talents. The first two servants quickly272 set to work with their masters money. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Wells The Invisible Man where a foolish theologian suggests a strangers problem is he only has one talent. 29 Take my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Start FREE. Well talk about this a bit later, but for the moment, I am inclined to understand this expression in contrast to another in our text, And throw that worthless slave into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 25:30). In the Book of Revelation, heaven is described as a return to paradise lost: 1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of lifewater as clear as crystalpouring out from the throne of God and of the Lamb, 2 flowing down the middle of the citys main street. Indeed, it is used to explain what has been said before. Enter into the joy of your master. 22 The one with the two talents also came and said, Sir, you entrusted two talents to me. These gifts have been seen to include personal abilities ("talents" in the everyday sense), as well as personal wealth. I have often been puzzled over these words, repeated several times in the New Testament: For the one who has will be given more, and he will have more than enough. Heaven involves work, but it is profitable work. To work, trade, perform, do, practice, commit, acquire by labor. The bankers in verse 27 represent other faithful people to whom the man could have turned to help him use his talents wisely. The element of work. Faithful saints are given even greater responsibilities, and even more work. Bible Memory Verse. 20 "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.' 21 His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you werefaithful over a few things,I will make you ruler over many things. That is why they are crying, Let us go sacrifice to our God. 9 Let the work be harder for the men so they will keep at it and pay no attention to lying words! (Exodus 5:1-9). Luke 12:48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. The Bible makes it clear there is no sacred versus secular work in the way we often think. Since Jesus was the son of God and therefore had a right to the kingship he claimed, we cant accuse him of stealing what he didnt deserve. [c] (K)You have been faithful over a little; (L)I will set you over much. I do not know the Lord, and I will not release Israel. 3 And they said, The God of the Hebrews has met with us. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. ), for my conscience assures me in the Holy Spirit 2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 29 For the one who has will be given more, and he will have more than enough. For all the saints. 3 Therefore, remember what you received and heard, and obey it, and repent. 14 "For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants[ a] and entrusted to them his property. Revelation makes it clear that in the last days, Jesus will subvert his opponents, punish them and be named king over the world. The masters return presumably refers to the last days when Jesus will return, and at the final judgment unrepentant sinners will perish and those served God will be rewarded according to their actions (Revelation 20:11-15) (1 Corinthians 3:12-15). Jesus uses the Parable of the Talents to help us understand our calling as Christians and our responsibility to use what God has given us to bring Him glory and honor! The original text is quite clear here it is the first servant (and we assume the second, as well) who immediately sets to work with his masters money. 27 Then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received my money back with interest! Neither group knew when the groom was coming. ), [Rom. 273 William Hendriksen, in his commentary on Matthew, finds enthusiasm and joy in the accounting the first two servants gave to their master. It is also found in Jude 1:15 to describe the harsh words the unbelieving have said against God. 27 But as for these enemies of mine who did not want me to be their king, bring them here and slaughter them in front of me!. Why, then, did the third slave do nothing? If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will never know at what hour I will come against you. How different was the outlook of the first two slaves. Let me call your attention to the most important elements of the parable, as I now understand it. Get the BEST VALUE in digital Bible study as you prepare for Easter. However, as planned, he becomes king of the distant land and returns home to see how his servants have done. First, the master stayed away for a long time (Matthew 25:19). What is the meaning of the Parable of the Dragnet? Look, But his lord answered and said to him, You. For this story about a master and his servants, understanding the culture of Jesus' original audience is necessary to comprehend His message. The slaves excuse was that his master was a harsh man, and this caused him to be afraid of his master, thus doing nothing with the money entrusted to him. He gives each of them some money. Lets call this aspect of profit exaltation. Start FREE. In this show, one boss brings several employees into a room, gives them each cash, and tells them to invest to grow his corporation. There was a lot of grumbling about him among the crowds. Literal Standard Version And he who received the five talents, having gone, worked with them, and made five other talents; Majority Standard Bible The servant who had received the five talents went at once and put them to work and made five more. This slave actually thinks of his master as though he were a Pharaoh in character. Second, the faithful servants immediately went to work to increase their masters money (Matthew 25:16-17). These folks were a more honest (hopefully) version of money changer than those who did business in the temple precincts. There is a great reward waiting for those who steward well with what the Lord has given them. Sharon Jaynes, Make the Most of Your Talents Enter into the joy of your master!' 24 Finally, the servant who had . 28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. See, you have what is yours. 26 But his master answered, Evil and lazy slave! Its also preceded by a story about a servant not using his position well while the master is away. 19After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. This is only speculation. Get our Question of the Week delivered right to your inbox! 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. In the parable of the talent, there are two clear references to time. 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. See 1 Corinthians 3:10-15. The talent was the largest measurement of money in those days. I saw something there that both amazed and troubled me. In the Luke version, he gives out 10 minas to 10 servants (Luke 19:16-20 makes it clear that each servant gets one mina). The story of Jesustelling this parable really begins in Matthew 24 when he mentions the coming destruction of Jerusalem. 5 Assuming, for the moment, that the slave was correct in his assessment, why would he not be motivated by his fear to seek a profit for his master? Sign up now for the latest news and deals from Bible Gateway! Multiply Your Talents 20 For the creation was subjected to futilitynot willingly but because of God who subjected itin hope 21 that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage of decay into the glorious freedom of Gods children. retirement has become a socially acceptable form of burying ones talent. to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Most of us find it hard to un-crack, especially given the third servant gets punished for doing nothing. 30 And throw that worthless slave into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 25:13-30). A talent of gold, for example, would be worth a whole lot more than a talent of bronze. The Parable of the Bags of Gold(A) 14 "Again, it will be like a man going on a journey,(B)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,[a]each according to his ability. if they get a '6' then they can pop the gloves on and try and unwrap the gift. Have you come to see that so far as your salvation is concerned, all of your works are like filthy rags in His sight (Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:9-20)? This may be applied to the blessings of this life; but rather to the means of grace. However, Jesus claimed kingship in a way that confused many people, and the way his kingdom operates often offends our sense of propriety. Then he went away. He doubled the money his master entrusted to him. The publication of this material is a grace ministry of Community Bible Chapel. The similarities between the parable in Matthew 25 and this parable in Lukes Gospel are easily seen: While the parable in Luke is similar to our parable in Matthew 25, there are some significant differences: The temptation is for us to carry details from the parable in Lukes Gospel over to Matthews account, but we should be careful about this, recognizing that these parables, while similar, were told on different occasions and contain significant differences. By submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email communications from Bible Gateway, a division of The Zondervan Corporation, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 USA, including commercial communications and messages from partners of Bible Gateway. 16 Then he that had received the five . It has taken a while for the thrust of this parable to come into focus for me. Before he leaves, he entrusts money to his slaves. 12 Therefore he said, A nobleman went to a distant country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. ESV Holy Bible for Kids, Softcover Economy Edition, ESV Large-Print Value Thinline Bible--soft leather-look, navy with mosaic cross design, ESV Student Study Bible, Trutone, Green with Mosaic Cross Design, ESV Large Print Personal Size Bible--soft leather-look, chestnut, Fire Bible ESV Version, Soft Leather-look, Slate/Charcoal. Its leaves are for the healing of the nations. Come and share your masters happiness! (Matthew 25:21). 7 And so, since we have been justified by his grace, we become heirs with the confident expectation of eternal life. 8 This saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on such truths, so that those who have placed their faith in God may be intent on engaging in good works. The lazy, wicked slave in our parable is that person who refuses to go to work with the resources God has provided, to produce profit for the kingdom of heaven. Father, deliver me from this hour? Specifically, I am speaking of Matthew 25:13: Therefore stay alert, because you do not know the day or the hour (Matthew 25:13). Two of the slaves seem eager to show their master what they have accomplished in his absence. This parable is paired with the parable of the 10 virgins, who made the mistake of not having enough oil when the bridegroom arrives. 19 By the sweat of your brow you will eat food until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you will return283 (Genesis 3:17-19). The first presents his master with ten talents. Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular. 3 Think of him who endured such opposition against himself by sinners, so that you may not grow weary in your souls and give up (Hebrews 12:1-3, emphasis mine). Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, NT Gospels: Matthew 25:16 Immediately he who received the five talents (Matt. Proud member What is the meaning of the Parable of the Great Banquet (Luke 14:15-24)? Enter into (I)the joy of your lord., 24Then 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. When the third servant appears, hes done nothing with the money. Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The story in Matthew 25:14-30 unfolds as such: A man goes away on a trip. Matthew 25:14-30. He didnt even hand the money over to bankers,276 to let them go to work with it. 270 I hate to have to disagree with the NET Bible translation here, but it seems to me that this translation does not adequately emphasize the force of our Lords carefully chosen words, especially in context. But none of them adequately explain it. I am suggesting that the way some Christians look forward to, or practice, retirement is a form of burying your talent. More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free! He, too, doubled the money his master left in his care. 6 The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches (Revelation 3:1-6, emphasis mine). 16He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. Eventually, he tells his sister he will go to the Olympics and then to the mission field, because both honor God. But the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. It is a great responsibility with great reward as described in the Parable of the Talents. These things are good and beneficial for all people (Titus 3:4-8). 18 It will produce thorns and thistles for you, but you will eat the grain of the field. Then he went away. Verse 15. After being gone a long time, the master returns to settle up with his slaves (verse 19). Jesus' stories had more than one meaning. You have been faithful in a few things. Parable Of The Sower Further Parables Parables Parable Of The Pharisee And Publican Parable Of The Hidden Treasure Parable Of The Net Parable Of The Unmerciful Servant Parable Of The Workers In The Vineyard Parable Of The Tenants Parable Of The Good Samaritan Parable Of The Lost Sheep/Lost Coin Parable Of The Prodigal Son Parable Of The Wedding Banquet Parable Of The Fig Tree Rich Man And Lazarus Parable Parable Of The Pharisee And The Tax Collector Parable Of The Ten Virgins Parable Of The Talents Parable Of The Sower Parable Of The Tares Parable Of The Marriage Feast Parable Of The Great Supper Parable Of The Vineyard Talents Jotham By A Parable Rebukes Them, And Foretells Their Ruin Nathan's Parable Of The Ewe Lamb Causes David To Be His Own Judge Prophet, Under The Parable Of A Prisoner, Under The Parable Of A Vineyard, God Excuses His Severe Judgment His Incomparableness Idols Are Not Comparable To God For Power By The Parable Of Bottles Filled With Wine He Foretells Their Drunkenness In Misery Under The Parable Of A Wretched Infant Is Shown The Natural State Of Jerusalem Under The Parable Of Two Eagles And A Vine Lamentation For The Princes Of Israel, By The Parable Of A Lion Whelping In A Pit For Jerusalem, Under The Parable Of A Wasted Vine Under The Parable Of A Boiling Pot Parable Of The Sower And The Seed Parable Of The Weeds Explanation Of The Parable Of The Weeds Parable Of The Hidden Treasure Which He Sets Forth By A Parable Of The King Who Took Account Of His Servants, Jesus, By The Parable Of The Laborers In The Vineyard, Shows That God Is Debtor Unto No Man Rebukes Them By The Parable Of The Two Sons, Parable Of The Marriage Of The King's Son Parable Of The Ten Virgins, Of The Talents Parable Of The Sower, Parable Of The Seed Growing Secretly Jesus Tells The Parable Of The Tenants Illustrates The Matter By The Parable Of Patches. 21 For I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. It was his hope that in doing something spectacular he might receive a gift or donation. Return to your labor! 5 Pharaoh was thinking, The people of the land are now many, and you are giving them rest from their labor. 6 That same day Pharaoh commanded the slave masters and foremen who were over the people: 7 You must no longer give straw to the people for making bricks as before. The talents Jesus Christ spoke of in the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant ( Matthew 18:21-35) and the Parable of the Talents ( Matthew 25:14-30) referred to the largest unit of currency at the time. This servant came to his master with only the talent his master had originally entrusted to him. As Dorothy Sayers put it in her essay Why Work? if we follow God properly, all the work will be Christian work, whether it is Church embroidery or sewage-farming.. A man who is preparing to leave on a journey entrusts his possessions to his servants. Their trading of the talents signifies the faithful use that one should make of gifts and opportunities of service to God. The Chapel believes the material presented herein to be true to the teaching of Scripture, and desires to further, not restrict, its potential use as an aid in the study of Gods Word. I am now inclined to say that verse 13 fits best with verses 14-30. Theparable of the talents is told in Matthew 25:14-30 and Luke 19:11-27. third servant claims that he was afraid of his master. 20 But accumulate for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. ~ Excerpt from Matthew Henry Commentary. Beyond this, His return would come at a time when it was not expected (Matthew 24:44). 4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, 5 he saved us not by works of righteousness that we have done but on the basis of his mercy, through the washing of the new birth and the renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us in full measure through Jesus Christ our Savior. Enter into the joy of your master (Matthew 25:20-21). The degree to which our earthly labor has been faithful and profitable will determine the degree to which we enter into joyful labor in heaven. Playlist: Go to the Parable of the Talents (topic) playlist . You withdraw what you did not deposit and reap what you did not sow. 22 The king said to him, I will judge you by your own words, you wicked slave! Matthew 25:14-30 : The Parable of the Talents. 29(S)For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. 278 Actually, the good slave is both morally good and useful, but his usefulness is emphasized most in the context.