The Parable of the Minas or Pounds (see Luke 19:11-15) also makes this clear. 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. 23 Why then didnt you put my money in the bank, so that when I returned I could have collected it with interest? 24 And he said to his attendants, Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has ten. 25 But they said to him, Sir, he has ten minas already! 26 I tell you that everyone who has will be given more, but from the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. Then he went on his journey. A primary word; 'else, ' i.e. 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. Hank Hanegraaff, Economy of God 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). New American Bible the one who received five talents went and traded with them, and made another five. The term employed in Matthew 25:16 emphasizes work. The NEW ENGLISH TRANSLATION, also known as THE NET BIBLE, is a completely new translation of the Bible, not a revision or an update of a previous English version. The element of money. The Parable of the Talents (Lk 19:11-27) 14 "For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; 15 to one he gave five talents,f to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Why, then, did the third slave do nothing? You have been faithful with a few things. For less than $5/mo. 273 William Hendriksen, in his commentary on Matthew, finds enthusiasm and joy in the accounting the first two servants gave to their 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. 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). And what should I say? 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 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. The third servant did not invest his masters money at all; he dug a hole in the ground and buried his masters money. Its leaves are for the healing of the nations. 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. Im not saying that one should never cease their employment nor end their career. Neuter of a presumed derivative of the original form of tlao; a balance, i.e. 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? Wells The Invisible Man where a foolish theologian suggests a strangers problem is he only has one talent. In this show, one boss brings several employees into a room, gives them each cash, and tells them to invest to grow his corporation. He does no work for a lengthy period of time and thus is useless. 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. 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). Only the soil that produces a crop is good soil. This is only speculation. The one who does not have but yet does have (because what he has is taken away) is the one who has his masters money, but has made no profit from it. It may be that you are not like the first two slaves, but like the third. You may unsubscribe from Bible Gateways emails at any time. Salem Media Group. 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. Both of these faithful slaves are rewarded well for their faithful service. English Standard Version The Parable of the Talents 14 "For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants[ a] and entrusted to them his property. A poor man (a sort of enterprising beggar, perhaps) was busy entertaining the visitors to the zoo. It is indeed unfortunate that the term talent means something very different today from what our Lord meant when He told this parable. But this work is joyful. And the longer the master was gone, the more interest was lost by the slaves inactivity. The second servant has made (five minas from one mina, or four talents from two talents). These folks were a more honest (hopefully) version of money changer than those who did business in the temple precincts. each according to his ability. He is evil in the sense that he is useless, or unprofitable. Notice how this same word279 is used in Matthew 7: In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad [literally rotten] tree bears bad fruit (Matthew 7:17, emphasis mine). You have gone back to needing milk, not solid food. 15 To one he gave five talents,[ b] to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Enter into the joy of your master. 24 Then the one who had received the one talent came and said, Sir, I knew that you were a hard man, harvesting where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Wrap a gift a number of times to create a few layers. We naturally want to believe we can use our gifts as we please. Matthew 18:24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. See, I have gained two more.' 23 His master replied, 'Well . Come and share your masters happiness! (Matthew 25:21). 27 Then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received my money back with interest! But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. Is the salvation of lost sinners not profit in the eternal sense? 30 And throw that worthless slave into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 25:13-30). 19Now (H)after a long time the master of those servants came and (I)settled accounts with them. Weeping and gnashing of teeth in outer darkness must, on the other hand, involve spending eternity without God, and without joy. This is like one of those reality TV shows where people compete for money to invest in a project, only with a different agenda. 18 It will produce thorns and thistles for you, but you will eat the grain of the field. Too often we think of our Lords words in Matthew 6 in terms of the offering plate. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, [1] each according to his ability. In the New Testament, the term "talent" meant something very different than it does today. The third slave is an entirely different matter. The joy of the master must, in some way, equate to enjoying the bliss of heaven, with our Lord. For all the saints. NKJV, Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, Red Letter Edition: Bringing to Life the Ancient World of Scripture, NKJV, Abide Bible, Red Letter Edition, Comfort Print: Holy Bible, New King James Version. 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. And,. The day of account comes at last. Whether you read the Matthew version or the Luke version, each servant is getting a substantial chunk of cash to invest as they will. He entrusted him with money, money suited to his abilities. 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. In one of my early trips to India, I went to the zoo. Since Jesus was the son of God and therefore had a right to the kingship he claimed, we cant accuse him of stealing what he didnt deserve. Bob was born and raised in a Christian home i More, The Net Pastors Journal, Eng. Parables of Jesus by James Montgomery Boice. 12 Therefore he said, A nobleman went to a distant country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. The first servant has made the biggest return (10 minas from one mina, or 10 talents from five talents). To work, trade, perform, do, practice, commit, acquire by labor. Kathy Sweeny, Choices Determine Destinies 14 "Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. How Daniels Prophecy of 70 Weeks Connects to the End Times. These gifts have been seen to include personal abilities ("talents" in the everyday sense), as well as personal wealth. To them belong the adoption as sons, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the temple worship, and the promises. Let us not envy sinners, or covet any of their perishing possessions. 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). His doom is, to be cast into outer darkness. The Parable of the Talents. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Fig Tree? His entertainment was to torment one of the tigers. Robert L. (Bob)Deffinbaugh graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary with his Th.M. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. See, I have gained two more. 23 His master answered, Well done, good and faithful slave! 16Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. He gives each of them some money. In the parable, the gifts are given according to natural ability, but all who increase equally are rewarded equally. 18But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lords money. Then he went away. Matthew 25:14-30. 4:7; 1 Pet. It has taken a while for the thrust of this parable to come into focus for me. 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. 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. 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. 47 I tell you the truth, the master will put him in charge of all his possessions (Matthew 24:45-47). In short, the talents represent what God has given usour monetary resources, our callings to positions within the church (Ephesians 4:11-16), our natural giftings. We need to pursue the element of work a bit further. 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. To offer, give; I put, place. If we were to make an equation of this parable, it would probably go like this: Resources (talents) + Labor (work) + Time = Profit. For example, this story is about talents which was a super large amount of money in Bible times. 16 Then he that had received the five . The translation project originally started as an attempt to provide an electronic version of a modern translation for electronic distribution over the Internet and on CD (compact disk). What, then, is the root of this third slaves problem? Get the BEST VALUE in digital Bible study as you prepare for Easter. Mat Mt). 30And (T)cast (U)the worthless servant into the outer darkness. What is it that you want Him to find you doing when He returns? 3 And there will no longer be any curse, and the throne of God and the Lamb will be in the city. (M)There will be weeping and (N)gnashing of teeth.. He wanted to know how much they had earned by trading. The master rebukes the third servant for not even putting the money in the bank, where he could have gotten interest on it. retirement has become a socially acceptable form of burying ones talent. What Does It Really Mean That Your Body Is a Temple? 12:6; 1 Cor. And part of the reward the faithful slave is entering into is the joy of his Master in bringing salvation to men. Is this not fruit? 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! 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 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. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.