Jesus continues talking about the kingdom of heaven and gives an example of a "man going on a journey". The man had three servants and to each one he entrusted different sums of money. The first servant was given five talents and when the master returned, the servant had doubled that amount to 10. The master was pleased and wanted to share his "happiness". The second servant had been given two talents and when the master returned, the servant had doubled his amount to four. Again the master was pleased and offered to share his happiness with the servant. The third servant was given charge of one talent and he was afraid. He dug a hole and buried the money in the ground. When the master returned, the servant told him that he knew he was a "hard man" because he harvests where he has not sown and gathered where he had not scattered seed. "So I dug a hole in the ground and buried your money. See here is what belongs to you". The master was furious with the servant. He told him that if he knew he was a hard man, then he should have at least deposited the money in a bank and drawn interest on it until his return. The master called the servant wicked and lazy. His money was taken from him and given to the servant with 10 talents. Jesus then says this, "For everyone who has will be given more and will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. And throw that worthless servant outside into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
Parallels:
Luke 19:12; Matthew 18:24,25; 18:23;24:45,47; 8:12
The talents represent any type of resource we may have and that we should invest in those resources. Jesus is promising us that if we can be trusted with the small things, then we can be trusted with even more. The issue is not what we have, but how well we use what we have. Jesus promises us the kingdom of heaven if we invest our resources wisely while waiting for his return.
Perils:
The parable of the loaned money gives examples of the perils that await those who do not use their resources wisely while waiting for Jesus' return. Those "wicked and lazy" servants will have what is theirs given to those who have an abundance. Then they will be cast outside where there will be "weeping and gnashing of teeth".
Precepts:
The command or precept I see in this passage is that I should use my resources diligently and wisely while waiting for Jesus' return. I need to grow my resources and have an abundance by that time. If I only have what God has given me without wisely investing it, I will be at a loss. I can use my time, money, or other things to invest in God's work and make it prosperous here on earth.
I can apply this message in my life today by using the resources God has given me to grow into an abundance. I can volunteer my time at a homeless shelter, help feed those needing food, and donate whatever resources I have into helping others. When I do this, my countenance will increase and my investment in God's work will return to me rewards in the kingdom of heaven.
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