What about those you have no talents?

[DamianWarS]

Mat 25:14-30 is the parable of the talents. It opens saying "[the kingdom of heaven] will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property....

we know the parable... 3 men are given talents (money), the first 5, the second 2 and the third 1. When the master comes back the servant with 5 now has 10 and the servant with 2 now has 4 to which the response is "Well done, good and faithful servant". The final servant returned exactly what he was given because he hid it away, the master was angered by this and his talent was taken away and he "cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness"

there is a logic to this where some receive lots and some receive little. It is conceivable that perhaps a servant could receive 10, 100, or 1000 talents and with this the parable reveals there is an expectation to multiply that which was given. So we may go up with the logic but can we go down? The lowest servant got 1... are there then some who get 0 and if so what is the expectation upon that servant?

The parable uses some interesting language describing the master as a "hard man" as one who reaps where he has not sown and gathers where he has scattered no seed. One could argue giving talents to his servants to multiply it is a from of sowing but taking away when there was nothing to begin with would certainly agree with this philosophy of reaping and gather where there has been no sowing or scattering.

What is Jesus saying here? Where are the extremes this logic goes to? What about those with no talents?

 

[timewerx]

The talent being spoken about is God's Word.

This means God will likewise judge (and possibly even save some) those who didn't receive the Word - gathers where he has scattered no seed.

Because for some people who never heard about Christ, never had the opportunity, being automatically condemned to hell is no justice.

 

[RDKirk]

The important thing is that the master gave each servant resources according to the ability the master knew the servant had.

One pastor of of a church I was a member of in the early 90s stated, "Everyone has a need, everyone has a resource."

Why would you think any part of the Body of Christ does not have a reason that Christ made him a member? Every one of us has a role in His mission.

For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. -- Ephesians 2

A lot of pastors natter about "finding God's plan for your life."

The first thing to remember is that the Head of the Body of Christ has a mission for His Body, already stated--the Great Commission.

Every one of us is intended to have a fragment of His mission. "God's plan for our lives" begins with our fragment of His mission. Everything else we do with our lives is to support executing our fragment of His mission.

 

[JIMINZ]

Mat 25:14-30 is the parable of the talents. It opens saying "[the kingdom of heaven] will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property....

we know the parable... 3 men are given talents (money), the first 5, the second 2 and the third 1. When the master comes back the servant with 5 now has 10 and the servant with 2 now has 4 to which the response is "Well done, good and faithful servant". The final servant returned exactly what he was given because he hid it away, the master was angered by this and his talent was taken away and he "cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness"

there is a logic to this where some receive lots and some receive little. It is conceivable that perhaps a servant could receive 10, 100, or 1000 talents and with this the parable reveals there is an expectation to multiply that which was given. So we may go up with the logic but can we go down? The lowest servant got 1... are there then some who get 0 and if so what is the expectation upon that servant?

The parable uses some interesting language describing the master as a "hard man" as one who reaps where he has not sown and gathers where he has scattered no seed. One could argue giving talents to his servants to multiply it is a from of sowing but taking away when there was nothing to begin with would certainly agree with this philosophy of reaping and gather where there has been no sowing or scattering.

What is Jesus saying here? Where are the extremes this logic goes to? What about those with no talents?

.
What is the purpose of any Parable?
What does this Parable impart to the hearer?
To whom was the Parable spoken?
What is this Parable about?
How will you personally gain any knowledge from it?

 

[Sabertooth]

tal·ent
ˈtalənt/
noun
noun: talent; plural noun: talents

1. natural aptitude or skill.
   "he possesses more talent than any other player"
   synonyms: flair, aptitude, facility, gift, knack, technique, touch, bent, ability, expertise, capacity, faculty; More
   strength, forte, genius, brilliance;
   dexterity, skill, artistry
   "a natural talent for dancing"
   • people possessing talent.
     "I signed all the talent in Rome"
2. a former weight and unit of currency, used especially by the ancient Romans and Greeks.

Jesus' parable is using the word in its second sense. Your question would only be valid in its first sense (if that makes any ¢ents...).

 

[DamianWarS]

tal·ent
ˈtalənt/
noun
noun: talent; plural noun: talents

1. natural aptitude or skill.
   "he possesses more talent than any other player"
   synonyms: flair, aptitude, facility, gift, knack, technique, touch, bent, ability, expertise, capacity, faculty; More
   strength, forte, genius, brilliance;
   dexterity, skill, artistry
   "a natural talent for dancing"
   • people possessing talent.
     "I signed all the talent in Rome"
2. a former weight and unit of currency, used especially by the ancient Romans and Greeks.

Jesus' parable is using the word in its second sense. Your question would only be valid in its first sense (if that makes any ¢ents...).

The parable in english feels like it is ambiguous as both talent (skill) and talent (money) appear to fit however I only intended to use the biblical use which is money.

 

[DamianWarS]

The important thing is that the master gave each servant resources according to the ability the master knew the servant had.

One pastor of of a church I was a member of in the early 90s stated, "Everyone has a need, everyone has a resource."

Why would you think any part of the Body of Christ does not have a reason that Christ made him a member? Every one of us has a role in His mission.

For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. -- Ephesians 2

A lot of pastors natter about "finding God's plan for your life."

The first thing to remember is that the Head of the Body of Christ has a mission for His Body, already stated--the Great Commission.

Every one of us is intended to have a fragment of His mission. "God's plan for our lives" begins with our fragment of His mission. Everything else we do with our lives is to support executing our fragment of His mission.

it really depends how we define who the servants are. Are they those who are called or does it go beyond the ecclesia?

 

[DamianWarS]

The talent being spoken about is God's Word.

This means God will likewise judge (and possibly even save some) those who didn't receive the Word - gathers where he has scattered no seed.

Because for some people who never heard about Christ, never had the opportunity, being automatically condemned to hell is no justice.

admittedly I approached the parable with this interpretation but I failed to address that possible the servants are unique to believers. If so these talents and their expectations are greater than mere belief. The context of the parable is prefaced with "the kingdom of heaven will be like..."

 

[DamianWarS]

.
What is the purpose of any Parable?
What does this Parable impart to the hearer?
To whom was the Parable spoken?
What is this Parable about?
How will you personally gain any knowledge from it?

hmm interesting questions... care to answer them?

 

[JIMINZ]

it really depends how we define who the servants are. Are they those who are called or does it go beyond the ecclesia?

.
It sounds as though you have already decided who the the servants are.

What is there in the Parable which says to you that these servants are the Ecclesia?

 

[JIMINZ]

hmm interesting questions... care to answer them?

.
You can't?

If you cannot answer the questions then forget about trying to figure out what it means.

Mark 4:23
If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

 

[DamianWarS]

.
It sounds as though you have already decided who the the servants are.

What is there in the Parable which says to you that these servants are the Ecclesia?

I haven't decided. The OP approached the text as a perspective from all men but the text does use the language "servant" which may not properly address the faithless. I'm willing to look at both.

 

[DamianWarS]

.
You can't?

If you cannot answer the questions then forget about trying to figure out what it means.

Mark 4:23
If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

I already know my answers, I'm interested how others approach this.

 

[JIMINZ]

I already know my answers, I'm interested how others approach this.

.
Ok then, what do you say to the fact that the Parables were only spoken to the Jews of that time for them only?

 

[timewerx]

admittedly I approached the parable with this interpretation but I failed to address that possible the servants are unique to believers. If so these talents and their expectations are greater than mere belief. The context of the parable is prefaced with "the kingdom of heaven will be like..."

We tend to discriminate (think less) of people who identify themselves with another religion. We often label them as "unbelievers" "unsaved", etc.

What is unique (in God's Kingdom) is that God may not be as discriminating as we do when it comes to religious "labels" - also gathers from places He did not scatter seed - people from other religions or even people with no religion.

The meaning of talents, may also represent: worldly resources, abilities, or even the knowledge of the Word of God - things we can use to do God's Work and bear much fruit.

In God's Kingdom, much is given, much is required. What is given to someone, resources (of any kind), power, abilities is used primarily for service of others. They don't use it to elevate their status over others nor spend it on comfort and leisure.

What is done in our world is that someone with much talents - worldly resources, abilities, or even free time, would rather spend it on themselves for their comfort and leisure. Giving only little for charity and God's work, not enough.

Many just give enough to absolve themselves of guilt and look good to others, but not enough to make a difference in God's Kingdom. Not enough to sacrifice their comfort and good life. Something in between - lukewarm, like the hypocrites do.

This parable would be repeated in a similar parable in Matthew 24 with dire consequences for those who will not bear (enough) fruit. Everything will be taken from them, including their own life.

 

[DamianWarS]

.
Ok then, what do you say to the fact that the Parables were only spoken to the Jews of that time for them only?

The parable is prefaced with "the kingdom of heaven is like..." although it may have a Jewish spin, if the kingdom of heaven is beyond the jews then so is this parable

 

[JIMINZ]

The parable is prefaced with "the kingdom of heaven is like..." although it may have a Jewish spin, if the kingdom of heaven is beyond the jews then so is this parable

.
You got it! that's the point.

Check out how many time Jesus said.
Mark 4:23
If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

Then check out who He was referring to when He said it.

Stop projecting into the Parable what has been taught it means, because they were wrong.

 

[Wordkeeper]

Mat 25:14-30 is the parable of the talents. It opens saying "[the kingdom of heaven] will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property....

we know the parable... 3 men are given talents (money), the first 5, the second 2 and the third 1. When the master comes back the servant with 5 now has 10 and the servant with 2 now has 4 to which the response is "Well done, good and faithful servant". The final servant returned exactly what he was given because he hid it away, the master was angered by this and his talent was taken away and he "cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness"

there is a logic to this where some receive lots and some receive little. It is conceivable that perhaps a servant could receive 10, 100, or 1000 talents and with this the parable reveals there is an expectation to multiply that which was given. So we may go up with the logic but can we go down? The lowest servant got 1... are there then some who get 0 and if so what is the expectation upon that servant?

The parable uses some interesting language describing the master as a "hard man" as one who reaps where he has not sown and gathers where he has scattered no seed. One could argue giving talents to his servants to multiply it is a from of sowing but taking away when there was nothing to begin with would certainly agree with this philosophy of reaping and gather where there has been no sowing or scattering.

What is Jesus saying here? Where are the extremes this logic goes to? What about those with no talents?

Moses asked for resources to prise the Israelites out of Egypt .

These resources are given to those who are themselves not serving Egypt, given up depending on the world for physical survival. AKA, the finger of God, eternal shelter, the Kingdom of God has been given to such as they.

Of course, giving up everything needs a lot of courage. The old and the weak don't have the courage. Is there no hope for those who are such? Well before their worldly resources run out, they should make friends with those already in eternal dwellings.

That's what putting your talent in the bank to earn interest means. See? It's all connected.

 

[DamianWarS]

.
You got it! that's the point.

Check out how many time Jesus said.
Mark 4:23
If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

Then check out who He was referring to when He said it.

Stop projecting into the Parable what has been taught it means, because they were wrong.

Again, I already know my answers. Care to discuss the OP? (if you oppose the perspective then why?)

 

[JIMINZ]

Again, I already know my answers. Care to discuss the OP? (if you oppose the perspective then why?)

I will have to go back through your posts and answer separately.

Give me a min.