Matthew 25:14-30 is what is often referred to as the parable of the talents. The short version of the parable is that the master goes on a journey and puts three servants in charge of his money.
One servant is left in charge of five talents of gold, one is left in charge of two talents, and the third servant is left in charge of one talent. When the master returns, he demands an accounting of his finances. The one given the five talents turned them into 10 and was praised by the master. The one given the two talents turned them into four talents and was also praised by the master. The man with one talent buried it in the ground because he felt the master was a harsh man and feared being punished if he lost any of the master's money. The master demanded the man's talent be taken from him and given to the man with 10 talents. He was then ordered to be cast into darkness.
This parable is one of several dealing with the Kingdom of Heaven and the return of the Christ.
In the parable, the master represents Jesus and the servants represent the people that were being addressed by Jesus. Jesus was telling them and ourselves now that he would be leaving them, but would return at a later time. While Jesus is not physically present, we are to carry on and do the work of the master in anticipation of his return. A talent was a unit of measure which equate to a large sum of money not only at that time, but by today's standards as well. Jesus has also entrusted us with something of great value to be used and cared for as we see fit until Christ's return. The things of great value we have been entrusted with are spiritual gifts.
We have the choice of what we do with the spiritual gifts we have been entrusted with. We can do good work and grow those gifts by using them and sharing with others for the glory of the Kingdom of Heaven or we can bury our gifts in the ground where they will be of no benefit to ourselves or anyone else and do nothing for the Kingdom of God. There will be a day when the master returns. At that time, the master will demand an accounting of what we have done. When you answer will you be found worthy of praise or worthy of being cast into darkness like the servant in the parable who was given one talent?
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Editor's note: Brian Timmons is the pastor of Pea Ridge and Brightwater Methodist Churches. He can be contacted at 925-0167 or by e-mail at [email protected]. This column was originally published Nov. 19, 2014.
Religion on 04/20/2016