Matthew 25:14-30

Matthew 25:14-30

The parable of the talents is one of the most powerful and convicting of Jesus's parables for us disciples. The two themes of eschatology are present. One is about not knowing when the Son will return and second being faithful in the meantime. These form the central themes of this parable. The parable of the bride mainly warns us that the Son's delay is no excuse for not being ready. This explains what to do during the delay.

A talent in the original context was a measure of money and as we consider this parable we need to keep the concept of a talent as an ability or skill at bay until we make a personal application. A talent as a measure of money was immense. It represented about 6,000 days of wages in our terms-almost a lifetime of earning.

Each slave was gifted according to his ability. God recognizes each disciple as an individual with unique abilities, capacities and opportunities. Having more or less opportunity is no excuse for unfaithfulness in fulfillment of our duties.

The reward of faithful servants is no retirement to idleness, but greater responsibility. The failure of the third servant was not that he didn't show a great return; but rather, that he did not try. There were two descriptions of why he failed, “wicked” and “lazy”. Speculation of motivation for his behavior beyond what is stated is only conjecture. Staying as close to the parable as we can, it represents a disciple using God-given resources for purposes other than what God intended. The characterization of the master as being a “hard man” may or may not have been fair. Guilty people often have a negative view of those in authority, but that is still no excuse. The disciple or slave represents that sort whose religion is focused on easy, keeping a clean slate or playing it safe and, therefore, doing nothing for the king. It is sadly the description of much of American Christianity where faithfulness is nothing more than attending church and keeping the doors open.

"Lord, may I serve you with my whole being every moment till you return. AMEN"