This week we look at a familiar parable that has been interpreted in many ways. A rich man goes on a trip after entrusting three servants with huge sums of money. When he returns, he rewards them as they deserve. Is this a parable about how we use the gifts (talents) God gives us, or about how to use money wisely, or about the reward we get for doing good? Maybe it’s about something else entirely.
Jesus says the Kingdom of Heaven is like God entrusting his
servants with unimaginable wealth. Sometimes we deal honestly with that gift,
and sometimes we don’t. The story is found in both the Gospel of Matthew and
Luke with slight variations. One of these is that Matthew has the master give 5
and 2 and 1 talent to his three servants. Luke ups the stewardship amount to 1
pound to each of 10 servants. We only hear about three of their results. One
made 10 pounds, the second 5 pounds and the last buried his money. You may want to read both versions for comparison.
Scripture
14 ‘For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; 15to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. 17In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. 18But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. 20Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, “Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.” 21His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” 22And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, “Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.” 23His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” 24Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, “Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; 25so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.” 26But his master replied, “You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? 27Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. 28So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. 29For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 30As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 25:14-30) also Luke 19:12-27
Conversation starters
In the Matthew version of the parable the three servants get
talents. A talent is an ancient weight measure of precious metals like gold and
silver. It is believed to be about 75 pounds of metal. There is mention of the
use of 29 talents of gold for the tabernacle built during the Exodus (Exodus 38:24).
That is over a ton of gold for the tabernacle!
By the First Century a talent was equal to 6000 denarii, the
Roman currency. It is hard to determine the exact modern equivalent. Scholars
estimate a talent would be worth somewhere between $1000 and $30,000 today.
Others think it could be worth even more. The point is that the master gave his
servants an unthinkable amount of money to steward while he was gone.
This parable is often used during church stewardship drives
to encourage giving. It can also be used to suggest that we all have physical
talents and gifts that we can use for good and for God’s kingdom.
If we think outside the box of these usual interpretations,
what might this parable teach us about God’s extravagance and our response to
that love? God’s power fills us, as the prayer by St. Paul for the Ephesians
notes, [so that] you may be strengthened in your inner being with power
through his Spirit, 17and that Christ may dwell in your hearts
through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. 18I
pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is
the breadth and length and height and depth, 19and to know the love
of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the
fullness of God. Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to
accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be
glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever.
Amen. (Ephesians 3:16-21)
What is your first thought about this parable?
Are their talents or monetary gifts that God has entrusted you with that you might ‘hide’?
Is God at work in us, as Paul says, the true treasure given to us?
The icon shows Jesus blessing the man with 10 talents and naming him "Good and Faithful Servant." Think about Paul's prayer for us to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
How does that apply to being a Good and Faithful Servant?
I’ll be out of town next week. See you on the 20th.
