Parables - The Three Servants

Parable of the Talents

“For it is like a man about to go on a journey. He called his own servants and handed over his possessions to them.

To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, each according to his own ability. Then he went on his journey.

“Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them and gained five more.

In the same way, the one with two gained two more.

But the one who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money."

Matthew 25:14-18

[This is the 11th lesson in this series]

Continuing where we left off from the previous message, Jesus is again telling a story about the end days. As we have mentioned He was in a roll and was telling story after story about what the end of days will be like.

End Days Parable

In that previous message, He used the wedding analogy. In this story, Jesus is using a story about a master  and his servants, which the people listening could also easily identify with.

Granted we do not have this setup anymore, so we might need a little backstory.

Background

In the old days, there would have been instances where people have to work for others as their servants (or slaves). These servants are almost like possessions of their masters and they are tasked to do certain things.

In this story (parable), the master was going off on a journey and he entrusted his possessions with his servants. Not really something that would have happened in real life but who knows, truth is more often than not, stranger than fiction.

As we read above, the master left varying amounts to his servants. Why, we do not know.

So let us read how this story goes:

“Now after a long time, the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

The one who had received the five talents came up and brought another five talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed me five talents. Look, I’ve gained five more.’

His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You were faithful with a little, so I’ll put you in charge of much. Enter into your master’s joy!’

“The one who had received the two talents also came up and said, ‘Master, you handed me two talents. Look, I’ve gained two more.’

His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You were faithful with a little, so I’ll put you in charge of much. Enter into your master’s joy!’

Matthew 25:19-23

In the End of Days

From the previous message (and several other lessons) we already talked about how Jesus went back home and promised to come back here a second time -- at the end times.

Jesus have told this to the people in His time, and they just cannot get enough and wanted to know how it will be like in the end of days. So Jesus was telling story after story to let them know how.  This is one of them.

Return of Investment

So at the time when Jesus comes back, He will be asking those who are His, about what have they done while He was away and with the things He left them with.

In the original story, talents is a unit of currency. Just one talent is an enormous amount in those days. Even the one servant with the least amount given would have been in possession of a very large amount of money.

I am not sure how these servants would have been able to handle such big amounts, but for sure we would know that many will not be able to know what to do with it.

Loan

This would be almost like getting a business loan from a bank and not knowing what business to use it in.

As the story goes, two servants did something with the money and were able to double their capital.

These were the ones who were able to enter into his master's joy (heaven).

Now as we would have expected, a servant did not really know what to do with the huge amount of money. Not entirely his fault as he most probably have no previous knowledge. He knew his master is good with money or with business and he was scared of him or of making a mistake.

Let us see how it went for this servant:

“Then the one who had received the one talent also came up and said, ‘Master, I knew that you are a hard man, reaping where you didn’t sow and gathering where you scattered no seed.

So I was afraid, and I went off and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’

“But his master responded, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! You knew that I reap where I didn’t sow and gather where I scattered no seed?

Then you should have brought my money to the brokers, and when I came I would have received it back with interest.

Therefore take the talent away from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.

For to the one who has, more shall be given, and he shall have an abundance. But from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away.

Throw the worthless servant out, into the outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”

Matthew 25:24-30

Not Bad

Honestly, most people without any business sense and experience could have lost all or most of their money on poor investments and business decisions.

This person was so scared of making a mistake he just didn't do anything with the money. And returned it as is. 

And when the master came back, he was cast out (out of heaven). For doing nothing with the money. 

There has been lots of interpretations about this parable and they are all well and good. But as always, the best lesson to be learned is always to ask what the Holy Spirit is telling you right now.

Ask and you shall receive.

Holy Spirit of God, what would You have me take away from this lesson, this I ask in the Name of Jesus of Nazareth.

In this life there will be tests (trials and tribulation). Jesus says, Do not be afraid. He has overcome it all.

[Jesus is coming back a second time and there is no time to be complacent. Everything we have is a gift from God. He had blessed us with the gift of time (and opportunities), of talents (our skills and abilities) and of treasure (resources and influences). Let us use them in a way that will bring glory not for ourselves but to God. God is a Creator. Humankind is made in the image of God. We are meant to create as well. Whatever God has planned for each one of us is different, ask Him what is your purpose and when you find out, do not be afraid to do it.]

Parables Series