Question concerning a parable

[seekingpurity047]

hey guys! I don't mean to start a debate or anything, but I think i need some understanding of a specific parable that Jesus presents in the book of Matthew. It was just a parable taht my christian club staff member was talking about on friday, and it is sorta conflicting with me right now.

The parable of the talents. Matthew 25:14-30

14"For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants[c] and entrusted to them his property. 15To one he gave five talents,[d] to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. 19Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.' 21His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant.[e] You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' 22And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.' 23His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' 24He 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, 25so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.' 26But his master answered him, 'You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sowed and gather where I scattered no seed? 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. 28So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

Now, the reason why it bothers me is because I just can't figure out some stuff. Some questions:

1. Who/What do the three people represent in this parable?
2. What do the talents, then, represent?

Please explain your answer, as it is something i just can't seem to figure out on my own. I'm going to look up some good umm... commentaries. If you guys could give me the heads up on some good ones, I will surely look them up, since I don't really know all that well many commentaries....

Thanks guys!

Randy

 

[CoffeeSwirls]

I have always understood this to be a parable about evangelism. We are all given work to do to further the kingdom and do not know when the master will return. It is our duty to spread the gospel to those around us. Some of us have more opportunity than others, such as pastors and those using TV/Radio/Internet resources. It is similar to the verse that says when much has been given, much will be required.

So the people would be you and I and the talents would be our opportunities to model our obedience to God by spreading His message.

Any other thoughts? If you think it's something else, show me where I'm wrong. After all, I'm not certain that this is the only answer to this question.

 

[Imblessed]

I've always understood it to be

the three people are christians and the "talents" are our gifts, or abilities--and what we will do with them(or not) is judged.

Although, after hearing Coffeeswirls explanation, it seems like that makes more sense because it would explain why the third hid his talents. Especially the referencing to the Master "reaping where he did not sow and gathering where he had scattered no seed". I've always wondered what that meant...

Could be both explanations though... I've always felt that the christian who would not use his gifts to advance the kingdom is not a true christian, which would explain why the master casts the worthless servant to "outer darkness".

I've always understood the parable to mean that one doesn't have to be "superchristian" either, as long as one is sincere and tries his best--because not all of us are given talents that "seems" important and grand--preaching, missions etc etc. Some of us have been given simple gifts, compassion, discernment, etc that can be used on a local basis that doesn't seem near as grand and impressive as some other gifts, but are just as important.


great OP!

 

[JJB]

I think the parable is about stewardship in general. It can apply to anything that God gives us: gifts/talents/money/time (family, friends).

 

[Imblessed]

I think the parable is about stewardship in general. It can apply to anything that God gives us: gifts/talents/money/time (family, friends).

now, see, here I rattled on and on, and you put it perfectly in 2 sentences!

short and sweet!

 

[seekingpurity047]

I have always understood this to be a parable about evangelism. We are all given work to do to further the kingdom and do not know when the master will return. It is our duty to spread the gospel to those around us. Some of us have more opportunity than others, such as pastors and those using TV/Radio/Internet resources. It is similar to the verse that says when much has been given, much will be required.

So the people would be you and I and the talents would be our opportunities to model our obedience to God by spreading His message.

Any other thoughts? If you think it's something else, show me where I'm wrong. After all, I'm not certain that this is the only answer to this question.

Coffee Swirls. I totally understand where you are coming from. But the big issue that I have with this is the third person, who gets thrown out where there is gnashing of teeth, and what not. (AKA Hell). Now... is that third person a believer? If so, then it must depend on our works to be saved. It must no longer be faith alone, but faith and works. That's what really has me baffled.

Or could it be the way that Imblessed described it. As in, the third person is a believer, but not really. They are more or less believers in vain, because it's cool and what not. That's what I thought that it was, because faith alone is the way to salvation, not faith and works. To cross reference it with James chapter two, faith without works is dead, however, that is to display our faith to other people, and is not necessarily a determinant for salvation.

I prefer Imblessed description, as in the third person is someone who doesn't really believe at all, but believes in vain. Doesn't care, doesn't change. Cuz, salvation may be by faith alone, but repentance is also necessary for salvation. Mark 1:14 i believe it is "Jesus said: The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand; Repent and believe the gospel." Repentance is therefore a necessity for salvation. Hmm....

I think too much sometimes, any more pointers?

Randy

 

[Rolf Ernst]

JJB is right. No matter what our vocational calling, whether it is as a minister or a factory worker, we all alike are to do all in Jesus name, and to the glory of God. It is not primarily what we do, but that in whatever we do, we serve Him with a heart striving for His glory. The factory worker is no less a servant of God than a minister. The gospel ministry is the highest calling but all have an equal opportunity to serve Him.

The man who buried his talent in the earth is one who devoted his life to the world rather than Christ and was unregenerate. This might apply to a preacher who labored for his own glory, to be thought well of by men, or a factory worker
whose motive in his work was earthly.

 

[Imblessed]

Anyone have any other thoughts on this part of the parable?

'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.' 26But his master answered him, 'You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sowed and gather where I scattered no seed? 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.

especially the part underlined....? it makes me think of the parable of the seeds and the different grounds the seed fell on.... any connection???

 

[Rolf Ernst]

Anyone have any other thoughts on this part of the parable?


especially the part underlined....? it makes me think of the parable of the seeds and the different grounds the seed fell on.... any connection???

Imblessed--that portion of Scripture always gave me the impression that the wicked servant was claiming that the Lord had never done anything for him that was deserving of any return, so he had focused his efforts on the things of earth and disregarded the Lord. The wicked servant was forgetting Moses warning to "remember the Lord thy God for it is He who gives you power to get wealth."

 

[CCWoody]

Coffee Swirls. I totally understand where you are coming from. But the big issue that I have with this is the third person, who gets thrown out where there is gnashing of teeth, and what not. (AKA Hell). Now... is that third person a believer? If so, then it must depend on our works to be saved. It must no longer be faith alone, but faith and works. That's what really has me baffled.

Notice some things about the parable.

1. Our Master does not expect more than what is beyond our ability: "And vnto one he gaue fiue talents, and to an other two, and to another one, to euery man after his own ability" Our Lord will not expect us to do anything which is beyond our ability to do, even if it is beyond what we think our ability is.
2. 2 of the 3 men immediately began to occupy themselves with their Master's business (a.k.a. JJB's observation about being mere stewards of what belongs to our Lord): "Then he that had receiued the fiue talents, went and occupied with them, and gained other fiue talents." A faithful servant will be about his master's business, whether he thinks it within his ability or not. If we are entrusted to a business, we are to be occupied with that business. It is the Lord who can make his business successful or make it fail. It is only for us to be occupied with it.
3. Look at the wonderful words that are the destiny of faithful servants: "enter into thy masters ioy." I know that most people seemed to be hung up on getting more "talents" whatever that is suppose to be in Paradise. I am always struck by what it will be like to enter into the joy of the Lord.
4. Notice these words: "Thou oughtest therefore to haue put my money to ye exchangers, and then at my comming should I haue receiued mine owne with vantage." The "exchangers" are bankers who have their shops or tables set up abroad, where they lend money at interest. Unfortunately, usury or loaning money at interest is strictly forbidden by the Bible, (Exodus 22:25-27; Deut 23:19-20). Even a rate as low as one per cent interest was disallowed, (Neh 5:11). This servant had already told two lies. First he said the master was an austere or harsh man. This is a lie for the Lord is merciful and gracious. Next he called his master a thief because he reaped where he did not sow. Finally the master said to him sarcastically why did you not add insult to injury and loan the money out at interest so you could call your master a "usurer" too! If the servant had done this, his master would have been responsible for his servant's actions and guilty of usury.

 

[JJB]

This weekend's sermon was on tithing, but it brought this thread to my mind. The pastor showed us a clip from Schindler's List where Herr Schindler is agnozing after the war is over about how he could have done more: if he had sold his car, it would have bought ten more people; if he sold his gold ring, it would be enough to purchase two more people. He was brought to tears agonizing over his use of money.

It is very sobering to realize that we will need to account for what we did with all the Lord gives us.


Jude

To those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father and kept by[a] Jesus Christ: 2Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.