Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: August 14, 2005
THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS
Ben Justice
When a person obeys the gospel, they become a member of the body of Christ —
the church of the Christ (Acts 2:47). The body of Christ is compared to one’s
physical body in I Cor. 12. I Cor. 12:12 states, “For as the body is one, and hath
many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so
also is Christ.” In v. 14-23, Paul teaches that just as our physical bodies have
many members, so does the body of Christ. Just as every member of our
physical body is important to the overall function of the body, so it is true with
the body of Christ. If one is a member of the body of Christ, then he/she is
important. As a member of the body of Christ, he/she has a job to do and a role
to fulfill. Listen the words of Paul in Eph. 4:16 — “From whom (Christ — v. 15) the
whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth,
according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the
body unto the edifying of itself in love.” Concentrate upon the expressions “whole
body,” “every joint,” and “every part.” Yes indeed, everyone is important and has
a function. When everyone functions as they should, the result is the edifying
(building up) of the body of Christ.
This brings us now to Matt. 25:14-30, wherein Jesus spoke a powerful parable
about the proper use of our abilities in the kingdom. Here is the significant
thing about the Lord’s teachings in this regard: THE PROPER USE OF OUR
ABILITIES HAS A DIRECT CORRELATION IN BEING PREPARED FOR
JUDGMENT AND WHERE WE WILL SPEND ETERNITY!
In the parable of the ten virgins (Matt. 25:1-13), Jesus taught the utmost
importance of being personally and properly prepared. In the parable of the
talents (Matt. 25:14-30), Jesus taught the importance of our performance in the
kingdom — that is the church (cf. Matt. 16:18-19). Let’s examine this parable.
THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE TALENTS – Verses 14-15
According to v. 14, a man traveled into a far country, and he called his servants
and delivered unto them his goods. The “man” represents Christ. The
“servants” are the disciples of the Lord. The “far country” (or “another country”
— ASV) is heaven (cf. Luke 19:12; Heb. 11:14-16). In v. 14, the man called his
servants and “delivered unto them his goods.” The expression “his goods”
denotes that these things really belong to the Lord.
According to v. 15, this man distributed some talents unto his servants. This
was according to each man’s “several ability.” This phrase literally means, “one’s
own ability.” Later on, it will become apparent that these “talents” represent our
abilities. Three individuals are mentioned, which is enough to show diversity in
the kingdom (cf. I Cor. 12:4-6).
THE UTILIZATION OF THE TALENTS – Verses 16-18
Verse 16 reveals that the five talent man gained five more talents.
Verse 17 reveals that the two talent man gained two more.
Verse 18 says this concerning the one talent man: “But he that had received one
went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.”
THE SETTLING OF THE ACCOUNT – Verses 19-28
In v. 20-21, we read what happened to the five talent man. He doubled his take.
His lord rewarded him. V. 21 says, “His lord said unto him, Well done, thou 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.” An important point that must
be made is the fact that it was not the number of talents he had that he was
rewarded for, but the quality of service that was rewarded.
The two talent man received the same outcome (v. 22-23).
The lord of these servants had an entirely different response to the one talent
man. This is seen in v. 24-28. Remember, as v. 18 tells us, he hid his talent in
the earth. Why did he do this? He tries to explain himself in v. 24-25. His lord
was not at all pleased with his explanation of why he hid his talent in the earth,
as seen from v. 26-28. At least he could do was to have put his lord’s money “to
the exchangers.” We would say the bank. When the lord came back, then he
could have received it “with usury.” In other words, it could have drawn interest,
as we would put it.
According to v. 28, the one talent man lost his talent, and it was given to him
that had ten talents.
THE APPLICATION – Verses 29-30
A divine law is set forth in v. 29. Jesus said, “For unto every one that hath shall be
given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away
even that which he hath.” This divine law simply says that those who develop their
talents (abilities) shall have abundance, that is, they will be blessed. On the
other hand, it also says that those who do not develop their talents (abilities)
will lose what they do have. The principle of “use it” or “lose it” is clearly taught
in this context.
In v. 30, Jesus declared, “And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness:
there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Here is the final destiny of the
unprofitable servant.
LESSONS FROM THE PARABLE
1.) Everyone does not have the same abilities (v. 15). Even though talents in
this parable represent money, it is obvious that there is something deeper and
spiritual that the Lord wants us to learn. Talents obviously represent our
abilities or skills that God has blessed us with. And, not every one has the
same abilities and skills. Notice that we do not read of a “no talent” man.
Everyone has some kind of ability, no matter how small and insignificant it may
be (cf. I Cor. 12:22-25). God has given us certain abilities, and these are to be
used in the kingdom. God has blessed some with a great voice for singing, and
others do not have a great voice for singing. God has blessed some with the
ability to work one on one with others, as opposed to speaking publicly and vice
versa. Sometimes, people are blessed so wonderfully in that they have a great
voice for singing and for public speaking. Good leaders in the church must take
these things into consideration and never put someone in a position in which
they can’t handle because they don’t have the ability or skill to handle it. This
results in discouragement. Lenski aptly wrote, “What a calamity it is when a
man who has the ability to handle only one talent is burdened with five and
makes a wreck of matters!” (R.C.H. Lenski, Commentary On Matthew, Pg.
974). God will hold us accountable for what we have, not for what we don’t have
(cf. 2 Cor. 8:12).
2.) Whatever ability(ies) we do have, we are bound to improve it (them). The
best way to develop our abilities is to use them. The five and two talent man
clearly illustrates this. It is a real shame to see some Christians letting their
abilities go to waste. Now, it would be useless for me to try and develop my
public singing voice, since it is the case that I don’t have the ability to sing to
begin with. God didn’t bless me in this regard. He did, however, bless me with
the ability to publicly proclaim God’s word. The best way to improve this ability
is to keep on doing it. Shame one me if I don’t. Shame on anybody who does not
use the abilities God has given them.
3.) We must use the abilities we have or lose them. This was mentioned
earlier, but it is a powerful lesson that we learn from this parable (v. 29).
4.) There will be a day of reckoning (v. 30). This parable teaches about
faithfulness in the kingdom. One aspect of faithfulness is using our abilities in
the kingdom. Sometimes, people get the idea that since their abilities are so
limited that there is not anything they can do. This, however, is the devil’s ploy.
One writer makes this excellent comment: “People with limited talents are most
apt to do nothing. As Christian workers we need to watch for these and
encourage them to use what they have” (Ralph Earle, Word Meanings In The
NT, Pg. 23). The reason for these things is because there will be a judgment
day. Study John 15:1-6 in this regard. We can see from this parable that we will
be judged not merely for doing wrong, but for neglecting to do right.
When a person obeys the gospel of Christ, the best thing an eldership
(leadership) can do for that individual is to discover his/her talents and start
using them in the work of the church. It’s not enough just to come and sit on a
pew three times a week; it takes working and laboring in the Lord’s vineyard in
order to be prepared for judgment.