The Parable of the Talents

Matthew chapter 25:14-30 relates the parable of the talents. This is my favorite parable, and is one that I think about often. I've noticed that each of the master's servants are given at least one talent (or "mina" as the parable is related in Luke) that they are responsible for caring for during the master's absence. They are not each given the same amount, but instead are given amounts in keeping with the abilities they had already displayed. The master was proven wise in the way that he dispensed his gifts: the servant that received five talents grew them into ten, the servant that received two grew his into four, and the servant to whom he had given the least did the least with it.

Each of the servants knew the master, and recognized him as the source of the gifts they were given. They each understood that the gift was not there's to keep, but instead they were stewards over the gift and the master was going to reclaim it upon his return. The two servants that took the gift they were given and multiplied it were rewarded with a share of the master's happiness. The third servant was labelled "lazy" and was thrown out into "the darkness." The original gift he was given was taken from him and given to the servant that had earned ten talents.

The parable goes on to say that "for everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, whatever he does have will be taken from him."

I like to take parables like this and list the points to make them easier to remember:

1. Every servant is given a gift
2. Gifts are given in accordance with our abilities/reliability
3. God is wise, and gives the right gifts to the right people
4. We are given the gifts as "stewards"--they are not our gifts, but God's
5. The gifts of God multiply in the hands of capable stewards
6. We will be called upon to recount what we have accomplished with God's gifts
7. Our rewards are dependent upon how wisely we have invested/used God's gifts
8. If we take our gifts and hide them we will pay the ultimate price.

My prayer is that I recognize each of the gifts God has given to me. I pray that I use each of them wisely, and that they multiply in accordance with God's word. I pray that I will be called a "good and faithful servant" and will be allowed to share in the Master's happiness!'