In my opinion, thats living dangerously. 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. I wonder how many have given serious thought to what might be called the theology of retirement. I would like to challenge every Christian to rethink the subject of retirement. The bankers in verse 27 represent other faithful people to whom the man could have turned to help him use his talents wisely. (5) In the similar parable in Luke 19 (while told at a different time and with numerous variations), it begins with a time indication: While the people were listening to these things, Jesus proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately (Luke 19:11). gained. But this term is also used of that which is useful or beneficial: 17 In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. In the parable, the gifts are given according to natural ability, but all who increase equally are rewarded equally. So, whatever we are doing (provided its not a sinful activity), we serve God well by doing it well. Did this third slave think that there would be no reward for his faithful service because his master was a hard man? For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. Retirement is that period in life when one no longer has the distraction of having to work for a livelihood. What is the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares? We need to pursue the element of work a bit further. wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. In other words, the third slave looks upon his master as wicked, harsh, and impossible. 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. It would probably be unwise to study the parable of the talents in Matthew 25 without also considering a similar parable in Luke 19:11-27: 11 While the people were listening to these things, Jesus proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately. [15]And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every . I am reminded of this passage in the Book of Hebrews: 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, we must get rid of every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and run with endurance the race set out for us, 2 keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. 15 To one he gave five talents,[ b] to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. - Unto one he gave five talents. 21 For I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. This servant offered a feeble excuse for his conduct. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. third servant does not make a profit for his master. Nicholas P. Constasobserves that early Greek church fathers described this event as Jesus tricking the devil, using his humanity as a lure to catch his adversary. 5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from them, by human descent, came the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever! And the longer the master was gone, the more interest was lost by the slaves inactivity. It is clear that our Lord Jesus intended for us to be found at work when He returns: 45 Who then is the faithful and wise slave, whom the master has put in charge of his household, to give the other slaves their food at the proper time? man allocates his resources to servants, expecting them to make a profit in his absence. Neuter of a presumed derivative of the original form of tlao; a balance, i.e. For less than $5/mo. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. A talent, just so you know, was a measure of money. 4:10]. 15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he gives the one talent to the first servant, for to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away (Luke 19:26). Those who are unfaithful lose not only their reward, but their stewardship. 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)? Read: MATTHEW 25:14-30. Crucially, Jesus says that both the parable of the 10 virgins and the parable of the talents are about what the kingdom of heaven will be like in the last days (Matthew 25:1,14). 27 Now my soul is greatly distressed. Read the full Bible passage of this story below and find related articles, videos, and audio sermons to help your understanding of this biblical lesson. I am suggesting that we have come to view retirement as that time in life when we can greatly reduce or terminate our giving, and when we can cease our service. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, # 25:15 Greek five talents two talents one talent; also throughout this parable; a talent was worth about 20 years of a day laborer's wage. 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. 12 Therefore he said, A nobleman went to a distant country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. 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. Faithful service led to increased responsibilities in the kingdom of heaven, and eternal joy in the presence of the Master, Jesus Christ. The parable of the talents is told in Matthew 25:14-30 and Luke 19:11-27. In Acts 1:9-11, their understanding is greatly enhanced: In Matthew, this is especially clear in 12:40; 24:27, 37. You have been faithful with a few things. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Dragnet? It was completed by more than twenty biblical scholars who worked directly from the best currently available Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts. However, since we all want to be little gods of our own lives, serving ourselves misses our true place in life. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. The master told them to care for his money and the first two servants used the talents to trade and gain profit. Sometimes it is merely a connective, a virtual conjunction. Our Lords emphasis here is not on putting the money to work, but on the servant going to work with his masters money. 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. Christ keeps no servants to be idle: they have received their all from him, and have nothing they can call their own but sin. In the end though, it doesnt matter whether we think Jesus is a hard or odd master, because we are neither all-knowing nor all-powerful. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lords money. 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. The first servant has made the biggest return (10 minas from one mina, or 10 talents from five talents). Talents. first two servants are commended and go to heaven; the third is condemned and goes to hell. We should first consider the masters assessment of all three slaves: The first two slaves were commended as being both good and faithful. The term good is sometimes employed in a moral sense. Each of these things (and many others) are given by God, to use in ways that glorify him and draws others toward him. Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular. I now see the answer, which appears to be consistent with all of the places where this principle is set forth. The Parable of the Talents. third servant seeks to excuse himself by accusing his master of being harsh. For example, this story is about talents which was a super large amount of money in Bible times. Renny and Marina McLean, The Lord Teaches Us to Profit 15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Second, the faithful servants immediately went to work to increase their masters money (Matthew 25:16-17). 14 For it is like a man going on a journey, who summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them. Enter into, 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.. It is from the use of the word "talents" in this parable that we moderns have derived its common meaning of natural gifts and endowments. Let us listen carefully then, looking to Gods Spirit to enlighten our hearts and minds, and to empower our service, to the glory of God and our eternal good. 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. Follow Christ's journey to the Cross. On each side of the river is the tree of life producing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month of the year. 15 To one he gave five talents,[ b] to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. From apodemos; to go abroad, i.e. Parable of the Talents children's story - dltk-kids.com By faith, have you entered into His labor, His saving work on your behalf on the cross of Calvary? Knowing that Jesus was describing servants being given huge amounts of cash to invest helps us to understand just how generous the master was being, the opportunity each servant was given. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. He made his way up to the bars, and then proceeded to harass this awesome beast. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Unjust Steward (Luke 16:1-13)? Sign up now for the latest news and deals from Bible Gateway! 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers together until now (Romans 8:18-22). What is the meaning of the Parable of the Growing Seed (Mark 4:26-29)? I will put you in charge of many things. The slothful servant is sentenced to be deprived of his talent. Retirement is like the second stage of a rocket booster. 28So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. Our receiving from Christ is in order to our working for him. Matthew 25:14-30 - NIV - "Again, it - Christianity Whatever they may pretend, the fact is, they dislike the character and work of the Lord. Playlist: Go to the Parable of the Talents (topic) playlist . 17So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. A poor man (a sort of enterprising beggar, perhaps) was busy entertaining the visitors to the zoo. 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. This slave actually thinks of his master as though he were a Pharaoh in character. In a similar way, in the parable of the soils (Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23) the mere germination of the seed does not seem to represent salvation. 46 Blessed is that slave whom the master finds at work when he comes. and Christians should not be molded by worldly standards (Romans 12:2). All rights reserved. We are fearfully and wonderfully made by God (Psalm 139:13-14), according to plans he laid out before we were born (Jeremiah 1:5), to glorify him forever. We are not saved by good works, but we are saved unto good works: 8 For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 it is not from works, so that no one can boast. What if the church were to be scrutinized as a business? Specifically, I am speaking of Matthew 25:13: Therefore stay alert, because you do not know the day or the hour (Matthew 25:13). I am suggesting that the way some Christians look forward to, or practice, retirement is a form of burying your talent. From dunamai; force; specially, miraculous power. third servant hides what was entrusted to him. So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). 20 But accumulate for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. He does not require us to make bricks without providing both the clay and the straw. The third slave is an entirely different matter. My confident hope is that I will in no way be ashamed but that with complete boldness, even now as always, Christ will be exalted in my body, whether I live or die (Philippians 1:20). The one-talent slave is clearly not saved; he is condemned to hell. I am not arguing against retirement in the economic sense. The second servant has made (five minas from one mina, or four talents from two talents). Bob was born and raised in a Christian home i More, The Net Pastors Journal, Eng. Let us then consider the primary message in this text. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, [1] each according to his ability. Pertaining to self, i.e. In the Matthew version, he gives one servant 10 talents (or bags of gold), another five talents, and the third one talent. 13 Therefore stay alert, because you do not know the day or the hour. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Talents? It is as though he had said, I knew you were unreasonable, and that there was no way to please you, and so I decided not even to try.. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give. However, all creation was made very good (Genesis 1:31), and we must do all things to Gods glory (1 Corinthians 10:31). This rest is not the end of all labor, however: Thus we must make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by following the same pattern of disobedience (Hebrews 4:11). What is your ministry, your unique contribution to the kingdom of God? 13:12; Mark 4:25; Luke 8:18; [John 15:2], NKJV, Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible, 2nd Edition, Comfort Print: Growing in Knowledge and Understanding of God Through His Word, NKJV, Chronological Study Bible, Comfort Print: Holy Bible, New King James Version, NKJV, Spirit-Filled Life Bible, Third Edition, Red Letter Edition, Comfort Print: Kingdom Equipping Through the Power of the Word. He wanted to know how much they had earned by trading. He told his master that he was a harsh and cruel man, a man who was demanding, and who expected gain where he had not labored. 28So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. Second, because they have proven themselves to be faithful with the few things entrusted to them, they are now given even greater responsibilities by their master. But the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken from him (Matthew 25:29; see also 13:12; Mark 4:25; Luke 8:18; 19:26). Lets call this aspect of profit exaltation. Start FREE. He does not go to work with his masters money, over a lengthy period of time, and thus make a profit. 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). This was paradise, my friend, and thus their work was not drudgery; it was a delight: 8 The Lord God planted an orchard in the east, in Eden; and there he placed the man he had formed. I believe it is his view of his master, and thus the work his master has assigned. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his . Dont blame it on God. The difference is not that one group knew the hour, and the other didnt. For the joy set out for him he endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. 277 There are those who would suggest that this slave buried the talent in hopes that the master might never return. He doesnt even take the trouble to take it to the money changers, and let them work with it to gain something for his master. Theparable of the talents is told in Matthew 25:14-30 and Luke 19:11-27. The one who gets the biggest return on investment gets the big promotion. I will put you in charge of many things. These things are good and beneficial for all people (Titus 3:4-8). For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. He entrusted him with money, money suited to his abilities. Eventually, he tells his sister he will go to the Olympics and then to the mission field, because both honor God. If we seek to shun the work our Lord has given us, it betrays a wrong attitude and relationship with our Master. Hank Hanegraaff, Economy of God Its leaves are for the healing of the nations. 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. He, too, doubled the money his master left in his care. Such labor is, to a large degree, entering into the joy of our Master. Parable of the Talents Jumble | Sermons4Kids But a married woman is concerned about the things of the world, how to please her husband. The element of time. third servant claims that he was afraid of his master. [14]For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. In the New Testament, the term "talent" meant something very different than it does today. The second and third soils represent those who initially show some interest in the gospel, but then reject it when the meaning of the gospel becomes clear. 9 The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow from the soil, every tree that was pleasing to look at and good for food. 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). 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.. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. We should carefully note the outcome of faithful service, and of unfaithful service, in this parable. 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! Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. English Standard Version (ESV). This is the reason I was critical of the translation of verse 16 (see footnote 1 above). Also the description of the last judgment. Sharon Jaynes, Make the Most of Your Talents Each one of us needs to ask the question, Just what is it that I am doing that is kingdom work? Just what is it that I am doing for Christ and His kingdom that is profitable? Dont bury what God has entrusted to you; go to work with it, for the glory of God, and for your eternal rewards. The apocalyptic context is underscored in Lukes version, where people try to keep the master from becoming king and are killed for their rebellion. Verse 15. 16 The one who had received five talents went off right away and put his money to work270 and gained five more. Works that produce a profit for the kingdom282 are the basis for our rewards. 29(S)For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. The question for us to consider is this: Just how do we measure spiritual profit? Parables of Jesus by James Montgomery Boice. 16 Then he that had received the five . Then he went away. The master rebukes the third servant for not even putting the money in the bank, where he could have gotten interest on it. The third servant was fearful and hid the one talent he was trusted with, returning just one talent to his master. We should be careful to recognize that in this parable the mere possession of a talent is not evidence of salvation. This is the edited manuscript of Lesson 78 in the Studies in the Gospel of Matthew series prepared by Robert L. Deffinbaugh on April 24, 2005. 23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Also the description of the last judgment. (2) Many of the commentaries acknowledge the abruptness of verse 14 as the first verse of a new paragraph. 15 The Lord God took the man and placed him in the orchard in Eden to care for and maintain it (Genesis 2:8-9, 15). The talent was the largest measurement of money in those days. Matthew 25:14. You have been faithful in a few things. 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. Our Lords teaching in the parable of the talents is that God expects profit that is the product of our labors. [c] (K)You have been faithful over a little; (L)I will set you over much. 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. Enter into the joy of your master!' 22 The servant who had received the two talents also came and said, 'Master, you entrusted me with two talents. It has taken a while for the thrust of this parable to come into focus for me. (M)There will be weeping and (N)gnashing of teeth.. ESV Text Edition: 2016. 19 After a long time, the master of those slaves came and settled his accounts with them. 3:21; 21:7], Matt. He demanded that they make something out of nothing, so to speak. We know that God expects us to grow over time, and that He is displeased when we fail to grow: 11 It was he who gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, that is, to build up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of Goda mature person, attaining to the measure of Christs full stature (Ephesians 4:11-13). 16 Then he that had received the five talents went and This slave does absolutely nothing with the talent that has been entrusted to him, nothing but bury it, that is.277 We need to distinguish between his excuses and the masters assessment, both of which are conveyed in our text. But the master did provide the means for his slave to make a profit. Jesus came into a world that was the devils domain (1 John 5:19) and claimed it for himself, despite opposition from demons and sinful people who disliked him calling out their flaws. Their trading of the talents signifies the faithful use that one should make of gifts and opportunities of service to God. One must surely conclude that this parable is not just an interesting story, but a message of eternal significance. What Does It Really Mean That Your Body Is a Temple? After being gone a long time, the master returns to settle up with his slaves (verse 19). It is used in 1 Samuel 25:3 to describe Nabal, Abigails husband, who is a stubborn fool.281 Isaiah (48:4) uses this term to describe Israels abstinence. Jesus' stories had more than one meaning. 28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 30And (T)cast (U)the worthless servant into the outer darkness. The disciples ask for details about the last days, and Jesus talks about how harsh they will be, warning them to look out for false teachers and so forth.