Question about a parable

[kayfeather]

I am unsure if this is the correct area for this kind of question, but I am a total newbie so this seemed like a good place.

As part of my journey to understand Christian beliefs and to determine if Christianity fits with me (the more I read, the more the answer is "yes" but I'm still not quite there yet!), I've begun reading the New Testament.

While reading Matthew, the meaning of the Parable of the Bags of Gold has me scratching my head:

From Matthew 25:14-30 (NIV):

“Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. “ ‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

I find a similar parable, The Parable of the Ten Minas, in Luke 19:11-17 (NIV):

While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. He said: “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’ “But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king.’ “He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it. “The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’ “ ‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’ “The second came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned five more.’ “His master answered, ‘You take charge of five cities.’ “Then another servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.’ “His master replied, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?’ “Then he said to those standing by, ‘Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.’ “ ‘Sir,’ they said, ‘he already has ten!’ “He replied, ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away. But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me.’ ”

My thoughts: These relate to having faith and wisely using gifts from God. It is not up to us to judge the nature of God, but we are given what we are given and we must make the most of those gifts. What has been given can also just as easily be taken away.

Am I close, or way off?

 

[Tigger45]

I think you're on track. Also the gifts of God are to be used to build His kingdom which results in saving souls and God takes that very seriously that's why He also says in His Word

Matthew 5:14-15

GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

14 “You are light for the world. A city cannot be hidden when it is located on a hill. 15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket. Instead, everyone who lights a lamp puts it on a lamp stand. Then its light shines on everyone in the house.



And...
Revelation 3:16

GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

16 But since you are lukewarm and not hot or cold, I’m going to spit you out of my mouth.

 

[AGTG]

This warning is for those who are not seeking God with their hearts, not the average believer who is seeking Him. The key in this parable is found in this scripture:

Matthew 25:24
24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed,

Do you see what the man is saying here? He knew so little of God he relegated Him to a harsh taskmaster. Could anyone who has spent any time getting to know God really feel that way? Now one of God's principles is that He comes to people much in the way they see Him.

Proverbs teach that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Prov. 9:10). Should people stay there? No, the apostle John said that perfect love casts out fear because fear is related to condemnation (1 John 4:18).

We are now a part of Father God's heavenly family, if we've chosen to be a part of it. But relationship requires intimacy and knowledge that brings us to a place where we "know" someone for real.

I want you to notice another hard to take scripture:

Matthew 7:23
23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

The knowing of God can only happen one way: Through a sincere relationship.

The man with the one mina "knew" God was real, but never bothered to actually get to "know" Him. How many Christians, even in this age, believe, but never did anything with that belief?

It's a hard warning that is necessary for many people, I'm afraid. For those who have a sincere relationship with the Lord, however, need not wring their hands over these passages.

 

[kayfeather]

I think you're on track. Also the gifts of God are to be used to build His kingdom which results in saving souls and God takes that very seriously that's why He also says in His Word

Matthew 5:14-15

GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

14 “You are light for the world. A city cannot be hidden when it is located on a hill. 15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket. Instead, everyone who lights a lamp puts it on a lamp stand. Then its light shines on everyone in the house.



And...
Revelation 3:16

GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

16 But since you are lukewarm and not hot or cold, I’m going to spit you out of my mouth.

To make sure I understand: God gives us gifts to share with others, including love and grace, and reiterates the concept of forgiveness. For example, we are forgiven if we accept Christ as our savior, therefore we should forgive those who have sinned against us. There is no such thing as "sorta Christian," you either are or you aren't. To quote Yoda, "Do or do not, there is no try."

This warning is for those who are not seeking God with their hearts, not the average believer who is seeking Him. The key in this parable is found in this scripture:

Matthew 25:24
24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed,

Do you see what the man is saying here? He knew so little of God he relegated Him to a harsh taskmaster. Could anyone who has spent any time getting to know God really feel that way? Now one of God's principles is that He comes to people much in the way they see Him.

Proverbs teach that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Prov. 9:10). Should people stay there? No, the apostle John said that perfect love casts out fear because fear is related to condemnation (1 John 4:18).

We are now a part of Father God's heavenly family, if we've chosen to be a part of it. But relationship requires intimacy and knowledge that brings us to a place where we "know" someone for real.

I want you to notice another hard to take scripture:

Matthew 7:23
23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

The knowing of God can only happen one way: Through a sincere relationship.

The man with the one mina "knew" God was real, but never bothered to actually get to "know" Him. How many Christians, even in this age, believe, but never did anything with that belief?

It's a hard warning that is necessary for many people, I'm afraid. For those who have a sincere relationship with the Lord, however, need not wring their hands over these passages.

This makes a lot more sense to me now. I was kinda worried about these passages but as you said, those with a sincere relationship shouldn't need to worry. Prayer is a big deal for me, and even though I come from a vastly different spiritual background it has been essential in trying to understand what I've been reading in the NT.

Thanks for the input y'all. This was so much help to me

 

[AGTG]

To make sure I understand: God gives us gifts to share with others, including love and grace, and reiterates the concept of forgiveness. For example, we are forgiven if we accept Christ as our savior, therefore we should forgive those who have sinned against us. There is no such thing as "sorta Christian," you either are or you aren't. To quote Yoda, "Do or do not, there is no try."



This makes a lot more sense to me now. I was kinda worried about these passages but as you said, those with a sincere relationship shouldn't need to worry. Prayer is a big deal for me, and even though I come from a vastly different spiritual background it has been essential in trying to understand what I've been reading in the NT.

Thanks for the input y'all. This was so much help to me

Just to be clear, as I know there are a lot of liberal people on these boards, "knowing" God will bring us the revelation of His holiness. This will bring us to a place where we will thirst to be righteous like Him, whereby He will empower us to be changed and transformed into Jesus' likeness.

I don't want to portray God in a one-dimensional manner. He certainly is a loving, patient, merciful God and that is reflected in the fact that He made a way for us to be changed and sanctified to draw us from wickedness and into righteous living.

Righteous standard can only be found in the scriptures.

 

[AGTG]

Prayer is a big deal for me, and even though I come from a vastly different spiritual background it has been essential in trying to understand what I've been reading in the NT.

Prayer is beautiful. It's a blessing to find people who really yearn for that intimacy. Do you pray in the Spirit yet? The Spiritual gifts are still functioning, and praying in tongues is essential for rapid growth and strength in God.

 

[timf]

The man who produced no increase declared his reason for inaction to be fear. The others were faithful in their assignment. Fear it seems is an indicator that the servant did not trust (have faith in) his master. These verses might be seen as similar to the ones in James about faith and works.

 

[parsley]

These verses really came alive to me in two different situations:

One, when I was active in the dreams & visions forum we had here for a few years. When people started posting their dreams, and praying over them, they found that they would be given more meaningful ones. When they held back talking about some of them, they noticed fewer dreams.

Not everyone would agree that dreams apply to stewardship, but there are plenty of scriptures that support God speaking to us through these alternate means, so in a sense they are gifts from Him that can be used for others.

The other instance was with prayer. I never thought of myself as a great intercessor -- I prayed a lot but it was very self-based. One time a church friend asked if I wanted to be on the intercession team, that prayed during the service.

When I set myself to pray for the staff and worship team, the congregation and what God might do during the service, it was like another world opened up. Things came to mind that I never would have thought of, and often these were confirmed later. (Like "Joe needs prayer for his heart" or "something is creating tension at this point in the service.")

The activity was so intense, that I often needed a nap after church. But when I didn't serve on the team, things went along normally and I didn't get the amazing insights I would when committed to it.

I suppose there are all sorts of applications for this parable, but money is probably the least of them.

 

[insurchoftruth]

We either use the gifts God has given us, for his glory, or if not, we will loose. The choice is ours. What we do with what God has given us?
The more we use what we have from God, the more he gives us.

 

[catholichomeschooler]

I am unsure if this is the correct area for this kind of question, but I am a total newbie so this seemed like a good place.

As part of my journey to understand Christian beliefs and to determine if Christianity fits with me (the more I read, the more the answer is "yes" but I'm still not quite there yet!), I've begun reading the New Testament.

While reading Matthew, the meaning of the Parable of the Bags of Gold has me scratching my head:

From Matthew 25:14-30 (NIV):


I find a similar parable, The Parable of the Ten Minas, in Luke 19:11-17 (NIV):


My thoughts: These relate to having faith and wisely using gifts from God. It is not up to us to judge the nature of God, but we are given what we are given and we must make the most of those gifts. What has been given can also just as easily be taken away.

Am I close, or way off?

Sounds right on to me.

More:

Luke 12:48
But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

 

[Prinx]

wanted to know too, thanks guys.

 

[Harry3142]

Kayfeather-

The ones who did nothing out of fear demonstrated narcissism. Rather than identifying themselves as part of the whole (all of those who received talents), they saw only their own self-interest. We have all been given certain talents, and as a result we are all to use our particular talent in the furtherance of the kingdom of God, with each contributing as he is able to the whole. St. Paul put it nicely in this passage:

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his fath. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. (Romans 12:3-8,NIV)

 

[jannikitty]

My thoughts: These relate to having faith and wisely using gifts from God. It is not up to us to judge the nature of God, but we are given what we are given and we must make the most of those gifts. What has been given can also just as easily be taken away.

Am I close, or way off?

Fine reflection! You are on target as far as I am concerned! God's ways can be very mysterious. Why, because He is God! But being God He does not contradict His Word. As we read the scriptures we need to see the various aspects of God's character which are reflected in many ways and the above passages do show that. The more we read and reflect the more we learn and grow closer to Him through His Son, Jesus, who is our window to God and who is God. Been doing it myself for over 50 years now and I still discover new things regarding God all of the time.

 

[Rawtheran]

I am unsure if this is the correct area for this kind of question, but I am a total newbie so this seemed like a good place.

As part of my journey to understand Christian beliefs and to determine if Christianity fits with me (the more I read, the more the answer is "yes" but I'm still not quite there yet!), I've begun reading the New Testament.

While reading Matthew, the meaning of the Parable of the Bags of Gold has me scratching my head:

From Matthew 25:14-30 (NIV):


I find a similar parable, The Parable of the Ten Minas, in Luke 19:11-17 (NIV):


My thoughts: These relate to having faith and wisely using gifts from God. It is not up to us to judge the nature of God, but we are given what we are given and we must make the most of those gifts. What has been given can also just as easily be taken away.

Am I close, or way off?

I would definently say you are close, but the parables also have to do with sowing, and reaping which is where tithing comes in with the Churches. The purpose of the Parables was to show how the Kingdom of Heaven operates, and how when people invested in what the master gave them or when we invest in God he will give back more because in the Kingdom of Heaven it is all about giving, and blessing. It is also about the condition of the heart, and what you intend to do with what God gives you. Just as Jesus once said "When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get." - Matthew 6:5 You made a really good thread maybe you shoud start a Bible study thread sometime

 

[kayfeather]

Thank you for all the replies! I can't add anything else, other than you've all given me more to ponder.

 

[Tammy]

A favorite author of mine has this to say regarding the Matthew 25:14-30 parable.

"To every man is committed individual gifts, termed talents. Some regard these talents as being limited to certain men who possess superior mental endowments and genius. But God has not restricted the bestowal of His talents to a favored few. To every one is committed some special endowment, for which he will be held responsible by the Lord. Time, reason, means, strength, mental powers, tenderness of heart--all are gifts from God, entrusted to be used in the great work of blessing humanity.
Some apparently have but few talents, but by diligent trading on their Lord's goods their endowments will be greatly increased. . . .
The Lord is watching every one to see whether he will use his talents wisely and unselfishly, or whether he will seek his own advancement. The talents are distributed to every man according to his several ability, that he may add to them by wise investment. Each one must give an account to the Master for his own actions.
The Lord will not require from those who are poor that which they have not to give; He will not require from the sick the active energies which bodily weakness forbids. No one need mourn because he cannot glorify God with talents that were never entrusted to Him. But if you have only one talent, use it well, and it will accumulate. If the talents are not buried, they will gain yet other talents.
The goods we receive are not our own. The entrusted capital is to be used, and when the returns are made, they are still the Lord's property. We have no right to hoard these talents; when the Lord Jesus returns He expects to receive His own with usury."

 

[Steve Petersen]

Read chapter 4 here by Brad Young:

The Parables: Jewish Tradition and Christian Interpretation - Brad H. Young - Google Books