Also the description of the last judgment. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lords money. Matthew 25:14-30 - NIV - "Again, it - Christianity They seemed to delight in serving their master, and they were eager to get to work quickly to produce a profit for him. Is this not cause for rejoicing (see Acts 11:19-24)? 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). ESV Text Edition: 2016. Parables of Jesus by James Montgomery Boice. Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden - Bible Story, The Ten Commandments - Bible Verses and Importance Today, Parable of the Prodigal Son - Bible Story, The Resurrection of Jesus - Bible Story and Prophecy. You may unsubscribe from Bible Gateways emails at any time. 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). Jesus' stories had more than one meaning. Today a talent might be worth a million dollars! And the longer the master was gone, the more interest was lost by the slaves inactivity. In the New Testament, the term "talent" meant something very different than it does today. The degree to which our earthly labor has been faithful and profitable will determine the degree to which we enter into joyful labor in heaven. 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. He wanted to know how much they had earned by trading. A small gain could have been obtained without great risk or effort on the part of the slave, but he chose to do nothing at all. Copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, each according to his ability. 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. 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. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard? 12:6; 1 Cor. Heavens work will be joyful labor. 2 Wake up then, and strengthen what remains that was about to die, because I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. The first servant has made the biggest return (10 minas from one mina, or 10 talents from five talents). 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. The slothful servant is sentenced to be deprived of his talent. It is a simple story that our Lord tells here. It is indeed unfortunate that the term talent means something very different today from what our Lord meant when He told this parable. 19Now (H)after a long time the master of those servants came and (I)settled accounts with them. Parable Of The Talents, Matthew 25:14-30 KJV - KING JAMES BIBLE ONLINE What is the meaning of the Parable of the Talents? This parable is not primarily about faith, nor is it about being willing to take a risk (this was merely the wicked slaves excuse). Our receiving from Christ is in order to our working for him. Just as a businessman expects to make a profit, and rejoices when his employees increase his wealth, so God expects a profit and rejoices in it. My thinking on retirement in this lesson started with the observation that heaven is not the end of work, but the multiplication and continuation of work: 20 The one who had received the five talents came and brought five more, saying, Sir, you entrusted me with five talents. What the Bible says about Parable of the Minas or Pounds third servant hides what was entrusted to him. Most importantly, bringing glory to God is profitable. He doesnt even take the trouble to take it to the money changers, and let them work with it to gain something for his master. 269 Copyright 2005 by Community Bible Chapel, 418 E. Main Street, Richardson, TX 75081. The third slave is lazy, and thus useless, as opposed to being hard-working, and therefore useful. Sometimes it is merely a connective, a virtual conjunction. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Wedding Feast? The only difference seems to be in their abilities, and thus in the talents that were entrusted to them. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. ~ Excerpt from Matthew Henry Commentary. Is this not fruit? Jesus made it clear that His return would not be immediate, but after much trouble and the passing of a considerable period of time. Get the BEST VALUE in digital Bible study as you prepare for Easter. He let taxpayers and prostitutes into the kingdom of heaven first (Matthew 21:31). gained. We are fearfully and wonderfully made by God (Psalm 139:13-14), according to plans he laid out before we were born (Jeremiah 1:5), to glorify him forever. Two of the slaves seem eager to show their master what they have accomplished in his absence. 271. One must surely conclude that this parable is not just an interesting story, but a message of eternal significance. 20So 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. 21His lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant; you were (E)faithful over a few things, (F)I will make you ruler over many things. For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Yes, there are official positions for certain church tasks (preaching, evangelizing, teaching, etc.) These folks were a more honest (hopefully) version of money changer than those who did business in the temple precincts. In one of my early trips to India, I went to the zoo. 1 "At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Specifically, I am speaking of Matthew 25:13: Therefore stay alert, because you do not know the day or the hour (Matthew 25:13). You have been faithful with a few things. Knowing that Jesus was describing servants being given huge amounts of cash to invest helps us to understand just how generous the master was being, the opportunity each servant was given. It is available on the Internet at: www.netbible.org. To the first he entrusted five talents, to the second two talents, and to the third one talent. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector? Whether you read the Matthew version or the Luke version, each servant is getting a substantial chunk of cash to invest as they will. But the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Vineyard? Works are the result of faith, not a substitute for faith. a certain weight or 'talent'. 17So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. Here, (P)you have what is yours. 26But his master answered him, You (Q)wicked and (R)slothful servant! Weeping and gnashing of teeth in outer darkness must, on the other hand, involve spending eternity without God, and without joy. (1) Verse 13 does not really seem to fit with verses 1-12, or to contribute to their message. It is clear that our Lord Jesus intended for us to be found at work when He returns: 45 Who then is the faithful and wise slave, whom the master has put in charge of his household, to give the other slaves their food at the proper time? As a businessman takes pleasure in making a profit, so our Lord takes pleasure in the profit gained by His faithful servants in His absence. 27 Now my soul is greatly distressed. He made his way up to the bars, and then proceeded to harass this awesome beast. Multiply Your Talents In the Matthew version, he gives one servant 10 talents (or bags of gold), another five talents, and the third one talent. 16 So the first one came before him and said, Sir, your mina has made ten minas more. 17 And the king said to him, Well done, good slave! If you have any questions, please review our Privacy Policy or email us at privacy@biblegateway.com. As we conclude, we should focus on what this parable is really about. God expects to see a profit. 33 But a married man is concerned about the things of the world, how to please his wife, 34 and he is divided. 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. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. Jesus came into a world that was the devils domain (1 John 5:19) and claimed it for himself, despite opposition from demons and sinful people who disliked him calling out their flaws. Parable of the Talents Jumble | Sermons4Kids The similarities between the parable in Matthew 25 and this parable in Lukes Gospel are easily seen: While the parable in Luke is similar to our parable in Matthew 25, there are some significant differences: The temptation is for us to carry details from the parable in Lukes Gospel over to Matthews account, but we should be careful about this, recognizing that these parables, while similar, were told on different occasions and contain significant differences. Bible Verses about Parable of the Talents - Church of the Great God He provides the money and the ability, but we are expected to work hard with what He has given us, for the profit of the kingdom. So, whatever we are doing (provided its not a sinful activity), we serve God well by doing it well. If so, then what is the fruitful labor God has given to you? What is the meaning of the Parable of the Growing Seed (Mark 4:26-29)? See 1 Corinthians 3:10-15. The talents were distributed on the basis of ability, not as the bestowing of ability. We take a little money and put it in the plate, and by doing so we are laying up treasure in heaven. I dont deny that this is true, in part, but it is not the whole of it. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. parable in Luke is told when Jesus was near Jerusalem, before His triumphal entry; in Matthew, the parable is told when Jesus was in Jerusalem, a few days later. New American Bible the one who received five talents went and traded with them, and made another five. He does no work for a lengthy period of time and thus is useless. 7 And so, since we have been justified by his grace, we become heirs with the confident expectation of eternal life. 8 This saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on such truths, so that those who have placed their faith in God may be intent on engaging in good works. 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. Retirement is like the second stage of a rocket booster. 23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. [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. 'Parable of the Talents' Childrens Lesson (Matthew 25:14-30) 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., I will make you ruler over many things. The second slave presents his master with four talents. wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. Its also preceded by a story about a servant not using his position well while the master is away. Luke 19:17 - The Parable of the Ten Minas - Bible Hub 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). So you knew that I harvest where I didnt sow and gather where I didnt scatter? first two servants are faithful; they are praised by their master and are given greater authority. For less than $5/mo. To give that up would be to hold him in contempt., This quote highlights that in the end, all talents are given by God to glorify him. 29(S)For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. I think we could all agree that the salvation of lost souls is a profit for the kingdom. 30 And throw that worthless slave into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 25:13-30). 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). It is not the money that goes to work, as such, but the worker. 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. Such labor is, to a large degree, entering into the joy of our Master. 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. He didnt even hand the money over to bankers,276 to let them go to work with it. From that point on work was different; there was a certain futility to work: 18 For I consider that our present sufferings cannot even be compared to the glory that will be revealed to us. I will end with these words from our Lord to the church at Sardis. Includes discussion questions and verse by verse commentary for small groups. The master told them to care for his money and the first two servants used the talents to trade and gain profit. You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. 30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. What is the meaning of the parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price? Its leaves are for the healing of the nations. Mat Mt). They returned to their master with double the talents! I am reminded of this passage in the Book of Hebrews: 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, we must get rid of every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and run with endurance the race set out for us, 2 keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. 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. Never, other than in our text (according to most versions), is it employed to begin a new paragraph. These rebels are slaughtered. Open Heavens for Teens Saturday 4th March 2023 - Parable of The Talents 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. 20 For the creation was subjected to futilitynot willingly but because of God who subjected itin hope 21 that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage of decay into the glorious freedom of Gods children. From dunamai; force; specially, miraculous power. He told his master that he was a harsh and cruel man, a man who was demanding, and who expected gain where he had not labored. I believe that we see this in Romans 9, where Paul speaks of the things God has entrusted Israel: 1 I am telling the truth in Christ (I am not lying! The parable begins with a master planning a trip (Luke describes him as going off to be made king of a distant land). Jesus tells the Parable of the Talents (or the Talents' parable) to his disciples. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Rich Fool? 14 But solid food is for the mature, whose perceptions are trained by practice to discern both good and evil (Hebrews 5:12-14). Get the BEST VALUE in digital Bible study as you prepare for Easter. This is his excuse for doing nothing. Matthew 25:14-30 : The Parable of the Talents. How does not knowing the day or the hour affect either the five wise virgins or the five foolish virgins? 28So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Two Sons? 28 Therefore take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten. The Parable of the Minas or Pounds (see Luke 19:11-15) also makes this clear. 12:7, 11, 29; Eph. Enter into the joy of your master. 24He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, Master, I knew you to be (N)a hard man, reaping (O)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. He then gives several messages and illustrations: - The wise and faithful servant (Matthew 24:45-51), - The parable of the 10 virgins (Matthew 25:1-13). One man may design a church building, a cathedral. The lazy, wicked slave in our parable is that person who refuses to go to work with the resources God has provided, to produce profit for the kingdom of heaven. Let me explain my reasons for reaching this conclusion, in spite of the fact that it differs with the generally accepted divisions (verses 1-13, verses 14-30, verses 31-46). 4:7; 1 Pet. So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). The Bible makes it clear there is no sacred versus secular work in the way we often think. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Good Samaritan? If we loved our Master, we would view our labors for Him as joy.
