Parable of the Talents

Matt 25:14-30

I have heard this parable many times, and the most likely outcome is to use it as a rallying cry or motivation to be 'active' in ministry, discipleship, sharing the good news, among other things.

But that is putting the cart after the horse and borders on manipulation of the context, much like how many people read John 3 and would cry out 'baptism' when the context and the passage does not even mention that word.

The prosperity gospel indeed would make the parable of the talents as a motivation talk that riches (material wealth particularly) is proportional to diligence and obedience. I mean everyone who reads the servant with the 5 talents given 5 talents more- definitely supports that prosperity result from attitude and hard work. Work hard, earn much. Earn much, work harder more to earn more.

But then again, you have to ask the question WHY? because as a whole the parable is a sad one, and also a warning. The irony is that given a 'limited' time to work out their talent (until the master's return) , the positive consequence is praise and the negative consequence is punishment/suffering within 'infinite' time (v30) "And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

The question is: Are the consequences of our irresponsibility really equate to eternal suffering ? Or is there much more than what the story tells us ? Does the parable support a gospel of works ? for interpreting it as a matter of fruitfulness clearly indicates that we will be judge by our works.

I think there is.

Ask the question - Why was the servant with the 1 talent got punished ? Because he did not invest his money and gave him profit. But what was the reason for his inaction ? Because he was afraid of what the master might do to him.

In other words he judged or misjudged his master to the point of inaction he might lose his 1 talent rather than earn profit.

But is the master really of poor character as much as he alleged ? I don't think so. Actually the master was fair. He gave them responsibility suited or proportionate to their ability.

Mat 25:15  To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.

Now this gives us a different perspective of the story.

Firstly, reading the parable, people have often assumed that the servant was correct in his assessment - that the master was unfair, 'a hard man', even a 'thief'- taking what wasn't his own.

Mat 25:24  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,

But these are just accusations. And, in my view, these accusation is literally what break the rope and the master judging him as 'evil' and 'unfaithful' aside from being irresponsible for his 1 talent. Simply saying it, he was ACCUSING his master and putting the blame on him why he was not productive like the others. This is the 'evil' part of him.

Secondly, fruitfulness was never the main issue. I attended a church once whose pastor shouted at his congregation "Ang tatagal nyo na dito sa church, hindi pa rin kayo nagbubunga!". Stressful isn't it ?, people think making more converts is always the main issue.

But did the master said on v23 "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and fruitful servant. You have been fruitful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' ? Of course not, the word used is 'faithful' not 'fruitful'. Fruitfulness focuses on the profit, faithfulness focuses on devotion to the master. In fact, if you have missed it, the profit earned by the two servants has no bearing to the master, describing it as "over a little".. which has a sense of insignificance. But what the 'little' proves is the bigger picture -> 'faithfulness'.

And this now concludes the story of the last servant, the master judged him as 'unfaithful'. He did not care at all to extend effort.  He judged his master as of bad character and blames him for his inaction, yet all the while it only proves he did not care at all or is not devoted. Honestly it would have been better for him to either send the money to the bank to gain interest or gave it to the first servant -"since he has more ability"- and earn his 1 talent. But it seems he doesn't mind doing something nor was it his priority. He just didn't care.

Faithfulness always results in fruitfulness. But our eye is not on the profit - which could mean 'little' or insignificant, but in the effort made which shows consistent devotion and dedication= faithfulness. Like the poor widow who gave all she had, Lk 21:1-4, it is not in the amount we gain or we give, but in the motive, effort and reason why we gave or why we have gained.

Before Christ comes, we all ought to be faithful in all that God has given us according to our own ability. Others may gain much, others may gain little but it is always the dedicated effort that counts in His name, for His glory.