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. The slothful servant is sentenced to be deprived of his talent. He doubled the money his master entrusted to him. Lets call this aspect of profit exaltation. The story in Matthew 25:14-30 unfolds as such: A man goes away on a trip. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Talents? There is a great reward waiting for those who steward well with what the Lord has given them. The question for us to consider is this: Just how do we measure spiritual profit? And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one. 12:6; 1 Cor. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. get answers to your Bible questions from 50+ resources ($2,400+ value! Let me call your attention to the most important elements of the parable, as I now understand it. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Great Banquet (Luke 14:15-24)? 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, each according to his ability. I fear that for all too many Christians (not all!) 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. Bob is a pastor/teacher and elder at Community Bible Chapel in Richardson, Texas, and has contributed many of his Bible study series for use by the Foundation. 280 Old Testament references here are to the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Vineyard? Does verse 13 belong with verses 1-12, or with verses 14-30? Each one of us needs to ask the question, Just what is it that I am doing that is kingdom work? Just what is it that I am doing for Christ and His kingdom that is profitable? If you have any questions, please review our Privacy Policy or email us at privacy@biblegateway.com. Sign up now for the latest news and deals from Bible Gateway! The, the definite article. The difference is not that one group knew the hour, and the other didnt. 14(A)For (B)it will be like a man (C)going on a journey, who called his servants[a] and entrusted to them his property. Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. They complain that He requires of them more than they are capable of, and punishes them for what they cannot help. A footnote in the NIV translation says that a mina was about three months wages. 15 The Lord God took the man and placed him in the orchard in Eden to care for and maintain it (Genesis 2:8-9, 15). What is the meaning of the Parable of the Mustard Seed? It was not the masters problem; it was the slaves problem. The master rebukes the third servant for not even putting the money in the bank, where he could have gotten interest on it. 2 Samuel 7:1-3 And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him rest round about from all his enemies; , 1 Chronicles 13:1-3 And David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and with every leader, 1 Chronicles 22:1-26:32 Then David said, This is the house of the LORD God, and this is the altar of the burnt offering for Israel. It may be that you are not like the first two slaves, but like the third. God entrusted Israel, and especially its leaders, with the truth, and they did not use it properly. 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. Return to your labor! 5 Pharaoh was thinking, The people of the land are now many, and you are giving them rest from their labor. 6 That same day Pharaoh commanded the slave masters and foremen who were over the people: 7 You must no longer give straw to the people for making bricks as before. The masters return presumably refers to the last days when Jesus will return, and at the final judgment unrepentant sinners will perish and those served God will be rewarded according to their actions (Revelation 20:11-15) (1 Corinthians 3:12-15). The whole parable is found in Matthew 25:14-30. Please consider their relationship to our text, and to money, time, labor, and profit: 1 To the angel of the church in Sardis write the following: This is the solemn pronouncement of the one who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars: I know your deeds, that you have a reputation that you are alive, but in reality you are dead. We naturally want to believe we can use our gifts as we please. To be away from home, go into another country, be away, be abroad. We have the most valuable gift of all, the Word of God and the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ. For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. Dr. Ron Jones, Using Your Talents for the Glory of God And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. What is the meaning of the Parables of the Lost Sheep and Lost Coin? 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. I think we could all agree that the salvation of lost souls is a profit for the kingdom. 28So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. In fact, if this were to take place today, that money would likely be worth less, due to inflation. ESV Holy Bible for Kids, Softcover Economy Edition, ESV Large-Print Value Thinline Bible--soft leather-look, navy with mosaic cross design, ESV Student Study Bible, Trutone, Green with Mosaic Cross Design, ESV Large Print Personal Size Bible--soft leather-look, chestnut, Fire Bible ESV Version, Soft Leather-look, Slate/Charcoal. And they were right because he praised them and invited them to join him as participants in his joy. to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 5 The one who conquers will be dressed like them in white clothing, and I will never erase his name from the book of life, but will declare his name before my Father and before his angels. God expects to see a profit. Thus, evangelism is one form of spiritual profit. 15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Dennis Rainey. 19 After a long time, the master of those slaves came and settled his accounts with them. Let them go and collect straw for themselves. And what should I say? 3 Therefore, remember what you received and heard, and obey it, and repent. in 1971. 4 But you have a few individuals in Sardis who have not stained their clothes, and they will walk with me dressed in white, because they are worthy. First, the master stayed away for a long time ( Matthew 25:19 ). 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. The parable begins with a master planning a trip (Luke describes him as going off to be made king of a distant land). What is the meaning of the Parable of the Two Sons? Visit a foreign land. He gives each slave an amount of money, referred to as talents and possibly talents of gold, based upon that man's ability to steward and care for the money. 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. This servant came to his master with only the talent his master had originally entrusted to him. These folks were a more honest (hopefully) version of money changer than those who did business in the temple precincts. Read the full Bible passage of this story below and find related articles, videos, and audio sermons to help your understanding of this biblical lesson. For the joy set out for him he endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Since a talent was actually a measurement of weight, it did not have a constant value. Father, deliver me from this hour? I am suggesting that the way some Christians look forward to, or practice, retirement is a form of burying your talent. I do not know the Lord, and I will not release Israel. 3 And they said, The God of the Hebrews has met with us. 17 In the same way, the one who had two gained two more. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Good Samaritan? Handed down. 17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. 271. Let me see if I can defend my allegation. Its been referenced in many placeseven odd places like H.G. Bible Verses about Parable of the Talents. 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). He gives each of them some money. We are not saved by good works, but we are saved unto good works: 8 For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 it is not from works, so that no one can boast. Burying the talent in the ground is an illustration of using one's God-given gifts for earthly pursuits. 5 [15]And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every . How does not knowing the day or the hour affect either the five wise virgins or the five foolish virgins? What Does It Really Mean That Your Body Is a Temple? 27 But as for these enemies of mine who did not want me to be their king, bring them here and slaughter them in front of me!. Retirement is that period in life when one no longer has the distraction of having to work for a livelihood. Too often we think of our Lords words in Matthew 6 in terms of the offering plate. 12:11; Eph. Most importantly, bringing glory to God is profitable. But none of them adequately explain it. It is not the money that goes to work, as such, but the worker. [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. It would appear that only the fourth soil represents the true believer. These verses are the opening to what is known as the parable of the talents. 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. What is the meaning of the parables of fasting at the wedding feast, the old cloth, and the wineskins? How different was the outlook of the first two slaves. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. He said to him, Why do you ask me about what is good? 30And cast the unprofitable servant (L)into the outer darkness. 17And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. See, I have gained five more. 21 His master answered, Well done, good and faithful slave! Talents. New American Bible the one who received five talents went and traded with them, and made another five. 12:6; 1 Cor. The parable of the talents is told in Matthew 25:14-30 and Luke 19:11-27. Renny and Marina McLean, The Lord Teaches Us to Profit Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. I realize that I am going to pull some whiskers by what I am about to say, but I think that I am being true to our text, and to the Bible as a whole. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Sheep and Goats? Indeed, they accused Him of being a wicked sinner, more worthy of death than Barabbas. In a similar way, in the parable of the soils (Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23) the mere germination of the seed does not seem to represent salvation. He, too, doubled the money his master left in his care. 25And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Mat Mt). 16 Then he that had received the five talents went and It is the real Christian's liberty and privilege to be employed as his Redeemer's servant, in promoting his glory, and the good of his people: the love of Christ constrains him to live no longer to himself, but to Him, that died for him and rose again.