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. third servant claims that he was afraid of his master. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. There is also a message to all mankind. 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. Never, other than in our text (according to most versions), is it employed to begin a new paragraph. Only the soil that produces a crop is good soil. As a businessman takes pleasure in making a profit, so our Lord takes pleasure in the profit gained by His faithful servants in His absence. The difference is that one group brought oil for their lamps, and the others did not. It is not the money that goes to work, as such, but the worker. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 20So 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. 21His lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant; you were (E)faithful over a few things, (F)I will make you ruler over many things. Faith Talk Ministries, Faithful to the End To work, trade, perform, do, practice, commit, acquire by labor. 20 The one who had received the five talents came and brought five more, saying, Sir, you entrusted me with five talents. 14 "Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. It was not the masters problem; it was the slaves problem. [15]And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every . I will end with these words from our Lord to the church at Sardis. See, I have gained five more. 21 His master answered, Well done, good and faithful slave! What, then, is the root of this third slaves problem? Bob is a pastor/teacher and elder at Community Bible Chapel in Richardson, Texas, and has contributed many of his Bible study series for use by the Foundation. 14 But solid food is for the mature, whose perceptions are trained by practice to discern both good and evil (Hebrews 5:12-14). If he were afraid to take any risk, then why did he not at least put the talent in the hands of the bankers, who would conservatively invest it for him, and gain at least some interest? The Gospels make it clear many times that Jesus was the king of the Jews, but came in a way they did not expect, preaching a message many didnt want to hear. (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). I believe that this parable focuses on four major themes: resources, work, time and profit. However, all creation was made very good (Genesis 1:31), and we must do all things to Gods glory (1 Corinthians 10:31). Its also preceded by a story about a servant not using his position well while the master is away. 22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. Noelle Kirchner, The Generosity Of God Faithful saints are given even greater responsibilities, and even more work. 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. Mat Mt). I now see the answer, which appears to be consistent with all of the places where this principle is set forth. Therefore glorify God with your body (1 Corinthians 6:20). Matthew 25:29 (NIV) ANSWERS. See 1 Corinthians 3:10-15. 24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. 29(S)For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. Each (of more than two), every one. 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. Jesus made it clear that His return would not be immediate, but after much trouble and the passing of a considerable period of time. The Parable of the Talents. I contend that verse 14 does not begin the new paragraph, but that verse 13 does. In my opinion, nothing in our text compels us to think (or even imply) that this might be the case. Verse Concepts. When our Lord talks about the kingdom of heaven in our text and elsewhere, He speaks of it in terms of work, not of relaxation or of play. We often mix up the word talent in the currency sense with our modern English word talent meaning gifts, and its important to understand the money context of what Jesus was saying. The joy of the master must, in some way, equate to enjoying the bliss of heaven, with our Lord. However, since we all want to be little gods of our own lives, serving ourselves misses our true place in life. Let them go and collect straw for themselves. Verse Concepts. The Bible makes it clear that we dont really own our gifts. But Abraham said, Child, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things and Lazarus likewise bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in anguish (Luke 16:25). Since a talent was actually a measurement of weight, it did not have a constant value. in Luke is there another group, in addition to the masters servants those who dont want this man to become their king, and who send a message asking him not to return. Then he went on his journey. I believe that we see this in Romans 9, where Paul speaks of the things God has entrusted Israel: 1 I am telling the truth in Christ (I am not lying! A popular job website lists theaverage monthly wage for Americans in 2021 as $5,555 per month. Kathy Sweeny, Choices Determine Destinies Here, (P)you have what is yours. 26But his master answered him, You (Q)wicked and (R)slothful servant! This slave actually thinks of his master as though he were a Pharaoh in character. 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. third servant hides what was entrusted to him. 277 There are those who would suggest that this slave buried the talent in hopes that the master might never return. You have gone back to needing milk, not solid food. You may unsubscribe from Bible Gateways emails at any time. Jaye Martin, How to Know Your Life Purpose See, I have gained two more.' 23 His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! 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. Most of us find it hard to un-crack, especially given the third servant gets punished for doing nothing. 14(A)For (B)it will be like a man (C)going on a journey, who called his servants[a] and entrusted to them his property. Jesus was also the stone rejected by builders, yet he became the capstone (Matthew 21:42). However, the talents (or minas in Lukes version) represent more than just the monetary resources God gives us. 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. 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. See, you have what is yours. 26 But his master answered, Evil and lazy slave! The second servant has made (five minas from one mina, or four talents from two talents). He did not increase his masters money at all. More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free! 26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Its also interesting that when the third servant returns his money, he accuses the master of being a hard man who reaps where he did not sow (Matthew 25:24). Granted, the interest one gets from a savings account is not the kind of increase one might get from investing in the stock market, but it would at least be a small increase. The Parable of the Talents - Bible Verse Story and Meaning 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. Sharon Jaynes, Make the Most of Your Talents It may be that you are not like the first two slaves, but like the third. 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. 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. In the New Testament, the term "talent" meant something very different than it does today. 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. My thinking on retirement in this lesson started with the observation that heaven is not the end of work, but the multiplication and continuation of work: 20 The one who had received the five talents came and brought five more, saying, Sir, you entrusted me with five talents. Look, But his lord answered and said to him, You. Heaven is described in terms of work, not play, of activity, not passivity. This whole matter of profit expands the teaching of our Lord in Matthew 6: 19 Do not accumulate for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. We have the most valuable gift of all, the Word of God and the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ. You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Bible Memory Verse. Proud member 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. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, each according to his ability. He didnt even hand the money over to bankers,276 to let them go to work with it. What distinguished him from the first two slaves? Parable of the Talents children's story - dltk-kids.com You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Get the BEST VALUE in digital Bible study as you prepare for Easter. 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.. The parable of the talents is one of those Bible stories most of us know, yet its hard to understand. [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. Christians will spend all eternity at work, and this work will include ruling with our Lord and praising Him. (4) The expression which begins verse 14 (Greek, w[sper ga.r) is employed 11 times elsewhere in the New Testament (Matthew 12:40; 24:27, 37; 25:14; Luke 17:24; John 5:21, 26; Romans 5:19; 6:19; 11:30; 1 Corinthians 11:12; 15:22; James 2:26). If this is the case, and we are to be at work until He comes, then why do we think that reaching a certain age entitles us to cease our labors for Him? 'Parable of the Talents' Childrens Lesson (Matthew 25:14-30) In addition, anyone who wants to share the Bible with others can print unlimited copies and give them away free to others. 14 "For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants[ a] and entrusted to them his property. So you knew, did you, that I was a severe man, withdrawing what I didnt deposit and reaping what I didnt sow? Used by permission. 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. The masters dealings with the third servant is a very different matter. Im not saying that one should never cease their employment nor end their career. It is the continuation of fruitful, profitable labor. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Fig Tree? To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. Beyond this, His return would come at a time when it was not expected (Matthew 24:44). 5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from them, by human descent, came the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever! 8 But you must require of them the same quota of bricks that they were making before. After being gone a long time, the master returns to settle up with his slaves (verse 19). The master rebukes the third servant for not even putting the money in the bank, where he could have gotten interest on it. 273 William Hendriksen, in his commentary on Matthew, finds enthusiasm and joy in the accounting the first two servants gave to their master. The Parable of the Talents. There was a lot of grumbling about him among the crowds. The whole parable is found in Matthew 25:14-30. In the Matthew version, he gives one servant 10 talents (or bags of gold), another five talents, and the third one talent. Luke 19:13,14 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come, Personal / Relative Pronoun - Dative Masculine Singular, Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers together until now (Romans 8:18-22). All rights reserved. Dont bury what God has entrusted to you; go to work with it, for the glory of God, and for your eternal rewards. These verses are the opening to what is known as the parable of the talents. How is it that the one who does not have has something taken from him? 275 See William Hendriksen, The Gospel of Matthew (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1973), p. 879. Is retirement a denial, in effect, of the curse? Parable of the Talents Jumble | Sermons4Kids Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, NT Gospels: Matthew 25:16 Immediately he who received the five talents (Matt. See, I have gained two more.' 23 His master replied, 'Well . The Parable of the Talents The Chara Project I was talking about this text with a friend, and he said, God expects the principle, plus interest. I think thats right. 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. Verse 15. Is this not cause for rejoicing (see Acts 11:19-24)? He let taxpayers and prostitutes into the kingdom of heaven first (Matthew 21:31). This is only speculation. 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. A parable is a type of story Jesus would tell so we would learn something from it. 21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou 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. Such labor is, to a large degree, entering into the joy of our Master. As I thought of this slaves attitude toward his master, I was reminded of this passage in the Book of Exodus: 1 Afterward Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, Release my people so that they may hold a pilgrim feast to me in the desert. 2 But Pharaoh said, Who is the Lord that I should obey him by releasing Israel? The first question one would ask is, How much profit did it make? We are so used to thinking in non-profit terms that we are almost shocked to hear such a question raised. Neuter of a presumed derivative of the original form of tlao; a balance, i.e. Luke 12:48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. In other words, the third slave looks upon his master as wicked, harsh, and impossible. Matthew 25:14-30,Luke 19:12-27 NIV - The Parable of the - Bible Gateway I saw something there that both amazed and troubled me. Heaven is not a hammock; it is not a glorified vacation. Wrap a gift a number of times to create a few layers. So, whatever we are doing (provided its not a sinful activity), we serve God well by doing it well. Our labors for the Master should increase, not diminish, if we are kingdom minded. Both minas and talents were units of currency in the ancient Roman world. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and, Take therefore the talent from him, and give. Luke, we are told that the reason for the parable was to correct the misconception that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately; no such reason is stated in Matthew. If so, then what is the fruitful labor God has given to you? The master goes on his journey, which Luke notes has some opposition (Luke 19:14-15). 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 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. Jesus tells the story of a rich man who has three slaves. This is the reason I was critical of the translation of verse 16 (see footnote 1 above). In the parable of the talent, there are two clear references to time. "For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to . 13 For everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced in the message of righteousness, because he is an infant. Faithful service led to increased responsibilities in the kingdom of heaven, and eternal joy in the presence of the Master, Jesus Christ. He doubled the money his master entrusted to him. The parable begins with a master planning a trip (Luke describes him as going off to be made king of a distant land). Yes, there are official positions for certain church tasks (preaching, evangelizing, teaching, etc.) The master rebuked this slave for being evil and lazy. Time has been a significant factor in our Lords teaching concerning His coming and the end of the age, beginning in chapter 24. What Is a Talent Weight? Bible Units and Measurements - Learn Religions 21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou 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. It is also found in Jude 1:15 to describe the harsh words the unbelieving have said against God. Dennis Rainey. But the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. In other words, Luke informs us that Jesus told this parable specifically to correct some misconceptions about the time of His return. Is this not fruit? 14 "Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. Indeed, they accused Him of being a wicked sinner, more worthy of death than Barabbas. Parable Of The Talents, Matthew 25:14-30 KJV - KING JAMES BIBLE ONLINE How can you take something away from a person who has nothing? a certain weight or 'talent'. The element of work. 28 Father, glorify your name. Then a voice came from heaven, I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again (John 12:27-28). So, in modern terms, the ten servants each got $16,665. And,. 16Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. No, but for this very reason I have come to this hour. It is available on the Internet at: www.netbible.org. I will put you in charge of many things. In the natural world, talents differ. There is no end to our labors for our God. 14 For it is like a man going on a journey, who summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them. 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. You have been faithful in a few things. 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! See, I have gained two more. 23 His master answered, Well done, good and faithful slave! The question for us to consider is this: Just how do we measure spiritual profit? 16 Then he that had received the five talents went and 282 I am trying to be careful here, because some works are not profitable for the kingdom, and these will not be rewarded, but will be destroyed. In the parable of the talent, there are two clear references to time. 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. Includes discussion questions and verse by verse commentary for small groups. He took his talent from him, gave it to the one who earned ten, and cast this fellow into outer darkness, where there was weeping and gnashing of teeth. 30And (T)cast (U)the worthless servant into the outer darkness. 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. 35 I am saying this for your benefit, not to place a limitation on you, but so that without distraction you may give notable and constant service to the Lord (1 Corinthians 7:32-35). Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 24:47; 25:34, 46; Luke 12:44; 22:29, 30; Rev. Before he leaves, he entrusts money to his slaves. This servant came to his master with only the talent his master had originally entrusted to him. 10 For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we may do them (Ephesians 2:8-10). And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. Speed and thrust increase. The element of money. It was not until after the fall of man that mans labor became toil: 17 But to Adam he said, Because you obeyed your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, You must not eat from it, cursed is the ground thanks to you; in painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. Wells The Invisible Man where a foolish theologian suggests a strangers problem is he only has one talent. 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. For all the saints. They returned to their master with double the talents! Matthew 25:23 - The Parable of the Talents - Bible Hub 27Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one. Matthew 25:14-30 "For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. He gives each of them some money. The publication of this material is a grace ministry of Community Bible Chapel. 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. For this story about a master and his servants, understanding the culture of Jesus' original audience is necessary to comprehend His message. 15To one he gave five (D)talents,[b] to another two, to another one, (E)to each according to his ability. Matthew 25:14-31 NKJV;ESV - The Parable of the Talents - "For the master. And so it is that those who over time work with what they are entrusted, in order to make a profit for their master, are rewarded for their faithfulness. third servant seeks to excuse himself by accusing his master of being harsh. He then tells the servants to put this money to work (Luke 19:13), invest it to make more money for him, and he would see their results when hes back. Theparable of the talents is told in Matthew 25:14-30 and Luke 19:11-27. Some were saying, He is a good man, but others, He deceives the common people (John 7:12). 19After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. Parable of the talents or minas - Wikipedia He then gives several messages and illustrations: - The wise and faithful servant (Matthew 24:45-51), - The parable of the 10 virgins (Matthew 25:1-13). In this show, one boss brings several employees into a room, gives them each cash, and tells them to invest to grow his corporation. This parable is not primarily about faith, nor is it about being willing to take a risk (this was merely the wicked slaves excuse). He, too, doubled the money his master left in his care. We take a little money and put it in the plate, and by doing so we are laying up treasure in heaven. I dont deny that this is true, in part, but it is not the whole of it. 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). Let me see if I can defend my allegation. first two servants are faithful; they are praised by their master and are given greater authority. You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Matthew 25:16 - The Parable of the Talents - Bible Hub From kerdos; to gain. 19 After a long time, the master of those slaves came and settled his accounts with them. A footnote in the NIV translation says that a mina was about three months wages. of (a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of. Let us then consider the primary message in this text. 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. His doom is, to be cast into outer darkness. 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. Thus, time seems to be a more important factor in verses 14-31 than in 1-13. The element of money. Look, there you have what is yours.. 33 But a married man is concerned about the things of the world, how to please his wife, 34 and he is divided. We must all be reckoned with as to what good we have got to our own souls, and have done to others, by the advantages we have enjoyed.