The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30)

Today, we're going to look at the parable of the talents found in Matthew's gospel. This parable is grouped together with the parable of the ten virgins and definitely has the backdrop of eschatology in mind. The imagery of eternal joy and everlasting punishment (one of Matthew's recurring themes in his gospel) are prevalent here and the eternal overtones are very difficult to dismiss. Just as the wise virgins were rewarded for their readiness, so the faithful stewards of this parable are rewarded with an abundant and joyful entrance into the Kingdom. Consequently, the foolish and lazy servant (just like the five foolish virgins) finds himself on the outside of the Kingdom where there is weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth. Let's take a look at this passage verse-by-verse today and hopefully glean some eternal truths that will help us to hear one day "well done thou good and faithful servant..."

Matthew 25:14 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.

Luke records a similar parable (called the parable of the minas) in Luke 19. In that parable, he records that Jesus told the parable because people thought that the Kingdom of God was going to immediately appear. Jesus is about to make His triumphant entry in Jerusalem, and no doubt some of the disciples and the crowd thought that this would usher in the earthly reign of the Messiah. Jesus is preparing His hearers by telling them what must transpire between the entry into Jerusalem and the earthly reign of Christ (His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension just to name a few). The man is no doubt Jesus Christ Himself, and the "far country" is the right hand of the throne of God in heaven- where He ascended up on high after showing Himself alive by many infallible proofs after His resurrection. (Acts 1:3,9).

Notice each of these servants (also translated slaves or bondservants ) are called. We know that many are called but few are chosen. The greatest call indeed, is not the call to service, but the call to salvation. The New Testament has a lot to say about those who are called. (Romans 1:6-7/ Romans 8:28.30/Romans 9:24/I Cor 1:9.24,26/ Galatians 1:6/Ephesians 4:4/Colossians 3:15/I Thess 2:12/II Timothy 1:9..and there are more but I'll stop with these). The callings of God are without repentance. But it is up to us what we do with this call. Notice the parable states that the Master delivered unto them (the servants) His goods. Everything that we have been entrusted with belongs to Him. We are stewards of the Most High God. And we know that one of the major attributes one looks for in a steward, is faithfulness.

I Corinthians 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

Matthew 25:15 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

We've already established the fact that Christ is the man in the parable who has gone away to a far country. We also know that from scripture, when Jesus ascended up into heaven....He gave gifts unto men.

Ephesians 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

Something often overlooked in this verse is that God gives to every man according to ability! Some people only have the capacity to manage two talents or maybe even one. We often spend so much time trying to be like everyone else, instead of faithfully working with the resources God has given to us. While it is true that God is no respector of persons, it is incorrect to believe that God distributes to every man in the same manner. I think this parable clearly teaches that some are given more than others. However, Jesus makes it clear that to whom much is given...much is required! I think at this point, it might be beneficial just to look at what a "talent" is. A talent (the greek word is "talanton") was a sum of money. There are conflicting reports as to what the actual value would be worth today so I won't even speculate as to what exchange rates of currency would be.

I only bring this up because most of the time in our modern culture, when we think about a "talent" we think about teaching a class, playing a musical instrument, or being able to juggle, et.al. While I agree that the "talent" could represent every resource that God has given us for usage to further His Kingdom, the immediate context is that of money. Some preachers/ministers refuse to talk about money or finances with their congregation because they're afraid someone will think they are "in it for the money." While this may be true of some hirelings who treat the office of pastor as merely a profession, we mustn't be afraid to teach about the right use of possessions and money. Jesus had quite a bit to say about money and many of His parables used monetary symbols as the primary object lesson(s). Martin Luther (the great Reformer) remarked that there are three conversions that must take place in the heart of man, and one of them was "the purse." If we can allow God to control our finances, then we will most certainly be free to allow Him to work in other arenas of our lives.

Matthew 25:16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents

Now the NASB says that "immediately" he went and traded. I'm not a Greek scholar and honestly I'm not sure that is the proper rendering, but in any event the man with five talents took what he had and put it to work. He "traded" with what he had. That's the thing about God's kingdom- there is risk involved! Those who preach a Christianity without a cross to bear, without a denial of self-interest- and without a cost to count, are merely preaching an imitation of the real thing. Christ never promised that there wouldn't be risks...only that they would be worth it all in the end!

Notice that when he put God's money to work- he gained a return on his investment. That's what so many people don't realize- you absolutely, positively, cannot outgive GOD! In Malachi, He actually tells us to "prove Him" (Malachi 3:10- in the NIV it says "Test me in this"). Everywhere else in scripture, we are admonished not to tempt or test our Lord. But in this particular area (giving ) we are actually told to put Him to the test and see what happens. It never fails- when people give to the work of God- they are blessed!

Matthew 25:17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.

Just like the guy with five talents- this one put God's money to work and saw a return on his investment. Just an aside: Many of us (given two talents) would probably spend our time trying to figure out why we only received two and the other guy got five. There are many people who have a two-talent income, and yet they try to live a five-talent lifestyle (I'm resisting the urge to go on a rabbit trail here....I really am!). There are many who are envious of those with different talents- they might be jealous of the one with five and wish that they had more responsibility- OR- they might wish that they only had one talent to take care of (less likely, but still some are very lazy and want little or no responsiblity given to them).

Matthew 25:18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.

Sounds like a very silly thing for him to do, but actually in the day in which this was written, it was not uncommon for men to bury (even hoards of) coins in the earth. Special note is made here that it was his Lord's money that was hidden...not his own. Many Christians have a problem with this concept. I often hear people talk about "my house....my car....my kids....my this....my that." The truth is that the "earth is the LORD's and the fulness thereof." (Psalm 24:1) God owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10)....all the silver and gold belong to Him (and everything in between) (Haggai 2:8).

Or to make it even more personal, many have a problem with the concept that God owns their bodies. I often hear the phrase "well, it's my body and I'm not hurting anyone but myself." I Corinthians 6:19 very clearly teaches that we are not our own- we belong to God, and our bodies are His temple!

Whereas the first two men took what God had given them, and put it to work for the furtherance of the Master- this slave took God's money and hid it in the earth.

Matthew 25:19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them

Remember at the beginning, I mentioned that Jesus told the parable of the minas (Luke 19) to offset the misguided opinion that His followers had that the Kingdom would "immediately" appear or begin. Christ lets us know that there is a period of time (here it states "after a long time") before Jesus comes again. This also helps us to refute the error of preterism, which states that Jesus came in the first century and that all prophecy has already been fulfilled.

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise (II Peter 3:9)- He WILL come again (John 14:3). And when He comes, He is going to "reckon" or settle up the accounts with His servants. The bible makes it clear that all (yes even Christians) will appear before the judgment seat of Christ. This theme is throughout the New Testament.

Romans 14:10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ

II Corinthians 5:9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Matthew 25:20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.

Here, the man with five talents comes and shows a 100% return on his investment in the kingdom. A couple of things I will draw to your attention:

#1 He brings EVERYTHING to the Master that He has earned (and doesn't seek to keep back for himself).

#2 He actually sounds EXCITED about what he has done. He draws the attention of his Lord and says in essence "look what I've done with what you've given me." I know this may seem hard to believe, but the bible says that it is possible to have boldness in the Day of judgment.

I John 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world

Now contrast that with those who will be ashamed at His coming (like the servant with the one talent as we will see later).

I John 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming

Mathew 25:21 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

Beloved, these are the words that I long to hear on that Day! Notice how the roles have been reversed.

#1 The man begins as a servant/slave- he ends up a ruler

#2 He is faithful over a few things- even though he had the most talents delivered unto him, he still is only commended for being faithful over a few- I think many times we think more highly of ourselves than we ought to (Romans 12:3).

#3 He goes from being faithful over a few things to being a ruler over many!

His reward is enter bliss or the "joy of thy Lord." The imagery is clearly that of entering the gates of heaven where there are pleasures forevermore!

Matthew 25:22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 25:23 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.

Again, his story parallels that of the man with five talents- he goes from slave to ruler- from few responsibilities to great authority in the Kingdom- he also is rewarded with eternal joy.

Matthew 25:24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed

Here's where the story takes a tragic twist. First of all, this servant says "I knew thee"- what a total contradiction. It is obvious that this man knows nothing about the true nature of the Lord- for if he did, he would have joyfully used his talent for the glory of God. He claims that God is a "hard man"- this is the perception that many have of the Lord of glory. Many believe that He is merely a heavy handed dictator of a deity than can never be satisfied. They do not realize that Jesus Christ has satisfied the righteous demands of a holy God by shedding His precious blood! They do not realize that the gospel is the "good news" that God will forgive sinners when they simply turn to Him in repentance.

Many people will never come to Christ because Satan has blinded their minds to the way that Christ really is:

II Corinthians 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them

The gospel of Christ is glorious but the devil wants everyone to believe that serving God is the most miserable thing one can do. Jesus desires that our joy be full! (John 16:24) Being a Christian is joy unspeakable and full of glory! (I Peter 1:8)

This evil servant believes that God is unjust in what He requires and His methods are unfair. Many people struggle with the issues of unfairness in life. Why do good people die young? Why are there starving people in third-world countries? Why are there natural disasters? And the list goes on and on....

The short answer is that we live in a fallen/sin-contaminated world. But the long answer is much more difficult. The truth is that even though bad things happen, we can trust that God has a greater purpose in mind. I once heard a great sermon by Perry Stone entitled "Don't go to hell over a mystery." Sadly, that's what many have done and continue to do. They are angry and bitter against God, because the circumstances of life have become so difficult and they don't understand why God hasn't (or didn't) intervene. As a pastor, these are issues that I confront regularly at hospitals and funeral homes. I don't pretend to know all the answers, but one thing I know for sure is that God loves humanity so much that He sent His only begotten Son to die for crimes (i.e. the sins of the whole world) that He didn't commit. I can honestly say that I am not that gracious, and I dare say that none reading this today is either!

Matthew 25:25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine

Notice it was fear which the man used as his excuse for not investing in the Lord's Kingdom. We know that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom (scripture references too numerous to quote here), but the fear of man brings a snare (Proverbs 29:25).

Many are afraid of what people will think of them if they served the Lord. Still others are afraid of what they might lose in earthly terms, if they embrace the Kingdom of God. Jesus said that he who seeks to save his life will lose it, but he who loses his life for the gospel shall find it. Or what about those who are afraid to invest their money in the Kingdom. I know some that say "I just can't afford to give to the Lord's work." I would counter that by saying "you can't afford not to" (Malachi 3:8,9).

Something I have often found interesting is found in Revelation chapter 21:

Revelation 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Notice there will be some in hell because they were fearful. This is exactly the charge laid upon the wicked servant in the parable we are studying. Of course we're not talking about being afraid of the dark, or heights, or spiders here...this is an ungodly fear that keeps one from a relationship with Jesus Christ. One final note about the passage in Revelation I posted above- notice that unbelief (the underlined sin above) is not the only thing that will exclude one from the Kingdom of God, as some hyper-grace teachers maintain.

Matthew 25:26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

Now the Lord turns the tables on the wicked servant. Remember that Jesus said by our words we would be justified and by our words we would be condemned? (Matthew 12:37). By his own mouth, the wicked servant condemns himself. It's interesting that many seen in the scripture trying to justify themselves are on the brink of hell. How about those in Matthew 7 who explain that they have cast out demons in Jesus' name and done many wonderful works? Or the five foolish virgins who also come looking for entrance? This man is no different- he has an excuse, but it won't cut it on the day of judgment

Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse

The servant is rebuked for his laziness. We are instructed to be fervent in spirit, serving the LORD (Romans 12:11) and that whatever we do for the LORD should be done whole-heartedly (Colossians 3:23) and for the glory of God (I Corinthians 10:31).

Matthew 25:27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

Again Jesus says that if the man truly believed what he had spoken about his Master were true, at the bare minimum, he should have put the Lord's money in the bank so there could have been some interest earned on the initial deposit.

Herein lies a great spiritual principle. There are some who are waiting for everything to be perfect before they will do something or invest in the LORD's Kingdom. The truth is that there will never be a "perfect" time to do anything...it will simply go undone. The "Preacher" in Ecclesiastes illustrates this beautifully. I don't ever preach from the NLT translation because it's simply too much of a paraphrase for my tastes, but I think it truly captures the essense of what I'm saying here:

Ecclesiastes 11:4 If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done. (NLT)

The KJV renders it this way:

Ecclesiastes 11:4 He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.

There will never be a "perfect" time to serve the LORD and invest His kingdom. The devil will always (yes I repeat ALWAYS) throw something in the mix to hinder you from doing what God wants you to do. (I Thessalonians 2:18). We read over and over again that TODAY is the day of salvation and there will NEVER be a better time than NOW!!! (Hebrews 3:7.15, II Corinthians 6:2).

I always tell people that it's better to do SOMETHING than nothing at all. There is an interesting parable that Jesus tells in Luke 16:8 about a shrewd manager because he was willing to make the effort to do anything rather than nothing at all! (I encourage you to read it on your own).

Matthew 25:28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents

Now to the natural mind, this seems unfair (I mean after all, the guy started out with only one talent and now the guy with the most gets his....at least the guy with two should have gotten it to make things equal right?- I'm speaking foolishly here- so bear with me in my folly please ) But in God's Kingdom there is a principle that to the one who desires more- more will be given. Some call this progressive revelation, but in any event the principle is that those who want more understanding and responsibility in God's Kingdom, will be given more as they use the light and opportunities they are given. When Jesus was explaining many of the parables of the Kingdom in Matthew 13, He said these words:

Matthew 13:12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

Many do not realize this, but if you want to see an increase then you must use what you have- whatever you do....don't waste it!

Matthew 25:29 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.

Again this principle is restated in Matthew's gospel. If we were to put this in modern terminology we might best sum it up in this phrase "use it or lose it."

Matthew 25:30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

This is perhaps the most dramatic and frightening aspect of the whole parable. There is much debate as to what this expression means here and whether the punishment inflicted upon the wicked servant is temporal (i.e. the tribulation period or some other trial), or whether it is an eternal punishment. Most modern commentators have taken (what I would deem as) the more liberal approach and said that this is only a temporal punishment. I, however, if I'm going to be a good minister of Jesus Christ am forced not only to take the more appealing application, but to look at the whole counsel of scripture on these matters. With that in mind, I think we should look at other instances in which this phrase "weeping and gnashing of teeth" are used. Let's do that now:

Matthew 8:12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 13:42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 13:50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 22:13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 24:51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Luke 13:28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out

In each of these instances, there is little or no doubt that the punishment inflicted here is that of eternal torment (notice especially the references to the "furnace of fire"..and undeniable reference to hell/lake of fire). Remember that we previously saw how the roles were reversed for the faithful servants. (They went from being slaves to rulers- from having little authority to great authority). They were told to enter into the joys of their Lord. Conversely, this man is about to enter into torment.

I want to post two specific sections from commentators who are very well respected...Adam Clarke and John Wesley. I'm going to post what they had to say about this particular parable. First let's look at what Adam Clarke had to say:

"He is punished with an everlasting separation from God and the glory of his power. Cast forth the unprofitable servant, Matthew 25:30. Let him have nothing but darkness, who refused to walk in the light: let him have nothing but misery-weeping and gnashing of teeth, who has refused the happiness which God provided for him.

Reader, if the careless virgin, and the unprofitable servant, against whom no flagrant iniquity is charged, be punished with an outer darkness, with a hell of fire: of what sorer punishment must he be judged worthy, who is a murderer, an adulterer, a fornicator, a blasphemer, a thief, a liar, or in any respect an open violater of the laws of God? The careless virgins, and the unprofitable servants, were saints in comparison of millions, who are, notwithstanding, dreaming of an endless heaven, when fitted only for an endless hell!"

And from John Wesley:

"Verse 30. Cast ye the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness - For what? what had he done? It is true he had not done good. But neither is he charged with doing any harm. Why, for this reason, for barely doing no harm, he is consigned to outer darkness. He is pronounced a wicked, because he was a slothful, an unprofitable servant. So mere harmlessness, on which many build their hope of salvation, was the cause of his damnation! There shall be the weeping - Of the careless thoughtless sinner; and the gnashing of teeth - Of the proud and stubborn. The same great truth, that there is no such thing as negative goodness, is in this chapter shown three times: 1. In the parable of the virgins; 2. In the still plainer parable of the servants, who had received the talents; and 3. In a direct unparabolical declaration of the manner wherein our Lord will proceed at the last day. The several parts of each of these exactly answers each other, only each rises above the preceding."

These are sobering thoughts indeed! In summary, let us all faithfully use everything and every opportunity that the LORD has given us for the upbuilding and furtherance of His eternal Kingdom. Let us be as the two faithful servants in the parable who hear "well done thou good and faithful servant." Let us not be lazy, slothful, or fearful of what others might think but be determined "to obey God rather than man." As the parable denotes, there is risk involved in the service of the LORD, but the benefits far outweigh the negatives. In every instance we see that those who employed their talents in the service of the Master received a return on their investment. You cannot...I repeat....You cannot outgive God! May God richly bless you for studying and obeying His Word!

Maranatha!

Truth Ablaze-the online ministry of Liberty Worship Center
Wingate, NC