Since help was available to him in the Church, the man had no excuse. The one-talent slave is clearly not saved; he is condemned to hell. It may be that you are not like the first two slaves, but like the third. 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). If we seek to shun the work our Lord has given us, it betrays a wrong attitude and relationship with our Master. What the Bible says about Stewardship of Talents - Bible Tools For this story about a master and his servants, understanding the culture of Jesus' original audience is necessary to comprehend His message. 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. 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. Verse Concepts. 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. It was not the masters problem; it was the slaves problem. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Amen (Romans 9:1-5). 8 But you must require of them the same quota of bricks that they were making before. 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. 14 But solid food is for the mature, whose perceptions are trained by practice to discern both good and evil (Hebrews 5:12-14). What is the meaning of the parable of the friend in need (persistent neighbor)? The Bible makes it clear there is no sacred versus secular work in the way we often think. 280 Old Testament references here are to the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament. 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. 3 Therefore, remember what you received and heard, and obey it, and repent. 28 Therefore take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten. I will put you in charge of many things. What is the meaning of the parables of fasting at the wedding feast, the old cloth, and the wineskins? It is not the money that goes to work, as such, but the worker. average monthly wage for Americans in 2021. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Prodigal Son? He does no work for a lengthy period of time and thus is useless. We find this same principle stated in connection with the parable of the soils (Matthew 13:12; Mark 4:25; Luke 8:18). 19 For the creation eagerly waits for the revelation of the sons of God. What is the meaning of the Parables of the Lost Sheep and Lost Coin? What is the meaning of the Parable of the Good Samaritan? Luke, the man who went away is a nobleman who leaves to obtain a kingdom; in Matthew, no such information is given. third servant does not make a profit for his master. If you have any questions, please review our Privacy Policy or email us at privacy@biblegateway.com. Therefore, the master represents Christ, while the three servants represent those who serve him. By faith, have you entered into His labor, His saving work on your behalf on the cross of Calvary? But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. Eventually, he tells his sister he will go to the Olympics and then to the mission field, because both honor God. 16Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 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. If we were to make an equation of this parable, it would probably go like this: Resources (talents) + Labor (work) + Time = Profit. 4:7; 1 Pet. Entering into the joy of our Master is, in the context of our text, entering into profitable labor for all eternity. 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. Thus, evangelism is one form of spiritual profit. The, the definite article. A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined). The third slave is just the opposite. 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. 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). Bible Memory Verse. 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. 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). 12:7, 11, 29; Eph. master tells his unfaithful servant that he should have put the money in the bank. In my opinion, thats living dangerously. These things are good and beneficial for all people (Titus 3:4-8). Revelation makes it clear that in the last days, Jesus will subvert his opponents, punish them and be named king over the world. 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. As his grand finale, the man reached in and pulled the tigers whiskers. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments (Matthew 19:17). What the Bible says about Parable of the Minas or Pounds I realize that I am going to pull some whiskers by what I am about to say, but I think that I am being true to our text, and to the Bible as a whole. It is a time when one should have the wisdom of age, financial freedom, and flexibility. New King James Version (NKJV). 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. And the longer the master was gone, the more interest was lost by the slaves inactivity. He doubled the money his master entrusted to him. Burying the talent in the ground is an illustration of using one's God-given gifts for earthly pursuits. I am suggesting that the way some Christians look forward to, or practice, retirement is a form of burying your talent. 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. 17 In the same way, the one who had two gained two more. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his . To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. These rebels are slaughtered. 272 I am assuming that the second servant acted just as quickly as the first, because our Lord tells us that he acted in a similar manner. Then he went away. The Parable of the Talents, Matthew 25:14-30, impresses on them the weight of that responsibility and the serious consequences of neglecting to understand and apply His instructions. From dunamai; force; specially, miraculous power. While commentators differ somewhat over the approximate value of a talent in todays economy, all would agree that it was a large amount of money. The one who has been faithful on earth with a little thing like money will be given greater work to do in heaven. A poor man (a sort of enterprising beggar, perhaps) was busy entertaining the visitors to the zoo. man allocates his resources to servants, expecting them to make a profit in his absence. In order to understand the meaning and the application of the parable of the talents, we must take note of the crucial terms and their meanings. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Mustard Seed? The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. 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. 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! 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. Most of us find it hard to un-crack, especially given the third servant gets punished for doing nothing. There is no end to our labors for our God. This is only speculation. Re-read the passage, preferably in a different translation to get a clearer perspective on what the passage is communicating. 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 simply hid the money, and now he returned it, without any gain. If we grew up in cultures where the individual is primary, we also tend to think we can live as we please. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one. Neuter of a presumed derivative of the original form of tlao; a balance, i.e. It was his hope that in doing something spectacular he might receive a gift or donation. 20 But accumulate for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, each according to his ability. I now see the answer, which appears to be consistent with all of the places where this principle is set forth. Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular. The Parable of the Talents 22 The servant who had received the two talents also came and said, 'Master, you entrusted me with two talents. 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. 12 Therefore he said, A nobleman went to a distant country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. Those who think it impossible to please God, and in vain to serve him, will do nothing to purpose in religion. 28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. Each of these things (and many others) are given by God, to use in ways that glorify him and draws others toward him. Before he leaves, he entrusts money to his slaves. Start FREE. The whole parable is found in Matthew 25:14-30. All rights reserved. 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). 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. 10 The one who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and the one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. However, all creation was made very good (Genesis 1:31), and we must do all things to Gods glory (1 Corinthians 10:31). To offer, give; I put, place. 4:11], [Matt. [c] (K)You have been faithful over a little; (L)I will set you over much. The apocalyptic context is underscored in Lukes version, where people try to keep the master from becoming king and are killed for their rebellion. Weeping and gnashing of teeth in outer darkness must, on the other hand, involve spending eternity without God, and without joy. How can you take something away from a person who has nothing? 14 "Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 27 Now my soul is greatly distressed. 13 And he summoned ten of his slaves, gave them ten minas, and said to them, Do business with these until I come back. 14 But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, We do not want this man to be king over us! 15 When he returned after receiving the kingdom, he summoned these slaves to whom he had given the money. 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). Noelle Kirchner, The Generosity Of God Jesus tells the Parable of the Talents (or the Talents' parable) to his disciples. However, since we all want to be little gods of our own lives, serving ourselves misses our true place in life. What distinguished him from the first two slaves? Parable Of The Talents, Matthew 25:14-30 KJV - KING JAMES BIBLE ONLINE if they get a '6' then they can pop the gloves on and try and unwrap the gift. What, then, is the root of this third slaves problem? 12 And if you havent been trustworthy with someone elses property, who will give you your own? (Luke 16:10-12). 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. It is indeed unfortunate that the term talent means something very different today from what our Lord meant when He told this parable. 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.