In Matthew 25:14-23 Jesus told the parable of the talents saying, “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
“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.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
My Wednesday night Bible Study group finish of series of the Parables of Jesus by the late Pastor RC Sproul with this allegory of the Talents. Dr. Sproul explains that the parable is not about money (a talent of silver being approximately one year’s wages), but about the Lord God’s expectation concerning the spiritual resources which He bestows upon the professing Believer for service in the increasing ministry and advancing the kingdom of Heaven. Bible Commentator Matthew Henry states that the talents committed to three servants; this implies that we are in a state of work and business, as the former implies that we are in a state of expectancy. That showed the necessity of habitual preparation, this of actual diligence in our present work and service. In that we were stirred up to do well for our own souls; in this to lay out ourselves for the glory of God and the good of others.
Henry points out that in this parable, 1. The Master is Christ, who is the absolute Owner and Proprietor of all persons and things, and in a special manner of his church; into his hands all things are delivered. 2. The servants are Christians, his own servants, so they are called; born in his house, bought with his money, devoted to his praise, and employed in his work. And we have three things, in general, in this parable. (1). The trust committed to these servants; Their master delivered to them his goods: having appointed them to work (for Christ keeps no servants to be idle), He left them something to work upon. Note, Christ’s servants have and receive their all from him; for they are of themselves worth nothing, nor have anything they can call their own but sin. (2). Our receiving spiritual abilities and resources from Christ is in order to perform our working for Him. Our privileges are intended to find us with industrious kingdom business. The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man and woman to profit as well. (3). Whatever we receive to be made use of for Christ, still the property is vested in Him; we are but tenants upon His land, stewards of His manifold grace.
At his ascension, when Christ went to heaven, He was as a man travelling into a far country. When He went, He took care to furnish His church with all things necessary for it during his personal absence. For, and in consideration of, his departure, he committed to His church truths, laws, promises and powers; and He sent the Holy Spirit to enable His servants to teach and profess those truths, to press and observe those laws, to improve and apply those promises, and to exercise and employ those powers, ordinary or extraordinary.
Let's continue this message on the parable of the Talents and being a good, a faithful servant and a good steward of God's gifts in the next post.
In Christ, Brian
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