The Parable of the Talents

The Setting of the Parable

The Parable of the Talents is a well known parable. While it is used frequently on its own, it is a part of a lengthier sermon. This particular parable occurs towards the end of a sermon often called “The Olivet Discourse” which is recorded in . This “discourse” was a lesson given by Jesus in response to a question from the disciples.

Matthew 24:3 ESV

3 As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

Jesus responded to the disciples’ question, but He does so in two parts, for their question really had two answers. Jesus first speaks about the destruction of Jerusalem. This is the subject matter of . In , Jesus shifts and begins speaking about a completely separate event—the last day, or the end of the world. Jesus’ words make it clear that these are two separate and unrelated events. While there were signs which would warn the faithful of the pending doom of Jerusalem, there will be no signs concerning the end of the world and Jesus’ return. The Lord says;

Matthew 24:36 ESV

36 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.

Since there will be no signs concerning the Lord’s return, Jesus spends the rest of the discourse teaching about the imperative need to always be prepared for the Master’s return. He does this through the use of several parables.

First, he refers to His return as the coming of a thief in . The point is not that the Lord is a thief, but that His coming will be completely unexpected. There will be no way to know when it will happen. Next, Jesus tells the parable of the unfaithful servant (). This servant begins acting wickedly, thinking he has plenty of time to get things in order before the master returns. The master returns sooner than expected, however, and the servant is caught unprepared. The next parable is that of the wise and foolish virgins (). This parable depicts an entirely different problem. In this parable, the Lord, portrayed by the bridegroom, comes later than expected. Some of those waiting weren’t prepared for a longer wait, and thus they end up unprepared. The point is this: we don’t know when Jesus will return. He could come sooner than we expect, or it may take longer than we expect. We could die suddenly in the near future, or have decades before us. Either way, we must be prepared, and we must always be faithful. That is the point of the next parable—the parable of the talents.

The Situation: Verses 14-15

Matthew 25:14–15 ESV

14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.

This Parable pictures a master and servants once again. The master must depart for a time, but instead of letting his possession merely lie dormant, he entrusts them to his servants. The first thing to recognize is that the talents belong to the master. The servants are not owners of the money, they are merely stewards. They are entrusted with great wealth, yet they are still stewards. All that we have and all we are given is given by God. Our very life is God’s gift, and for the purpose of God’s glory. Let us remember that in every realm of life we are simply stewards, caring for that which God has entrusted to us.

All that we have and all we are given is given by God. Our very life is God’s gift, and for the purpose of God’s glory. Let us remember that in every realm of life we are simply stewards, caring for that which God has entrusted to us.

The master divides his talents out as he sees fit. One man is given 5; another 2; and another 1. This is not unfair—the talents belong to the master and he distributes as he sees fit. Applying this point, we recognize that everyone possesses different “talents.” We all vary in our abilities, strengths, and opportunities. The important thing is not the amount we are given, but how we use what we are given. Paul exhorts:

Romans 12:5–8 ESV

5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

We must each use the ability and opportunity we have. As we use what we have, we will surely grow. The 2 talent man became a 4 talent man through work and effort. Likewise, we can increase our ability to serve the Lord, but only when we begin with what we have now.

Further, while 1 talent may seem slim compared to 5 talents, it’s worth recalling that even 1 talent was a great sum. One talent was roughly equivalent to 20 years of labor for a typical laborer. So even the 1 talent man was entrusted with a great amount! Even the smallest of God’s gifts and blessings can be mighty and powerful when used in service to Him!

The question for us, is, “Am I using the gifts God has given me?” Do I use what ability and opportunity I have to serve God?

The Servants: Verses 16-18

Matthew 25:16–18 ESV

16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.

The servant entrusted with 5 talents wasted no time. While his master would be gone for “a long time” he immediately began working with the treasure entrusted to him. Likewise, we should not delay in our own service to the Lord. There is no wisdom or benefit in waiting for a better time to work for the Lord. We should obey Him now; serve Him now; labor in His kingdom now. If we don’t, we may be like the unfaithful servant in the previous parable that is found unprepared—fully intending to work for the Master, just at a later time.

Also, the faithful servants worked. Jesus doesn’t expound on the details of their trading, but they used what the master gave them and went to work. There is a work to do in the Lord’s kingdom.

The servant entrusted with 1 talent did not labor. Instead, he dug a hole and hid the talent. At this point in the parable we aren’t told the motivation, but the master’s words later indicate it was laziness. Perhaps a portion was fear, but by and large the servant was slothful. What else he used his time for we aren’t told. We may think, “at least he didn’t steal or squander the talent.” But the Master hadn’t entrusted the talent to him for safekeeping. If that was the master’s goal, he could have simply taken the talent with him. His desire was for the servants to put the talents to work. The gifts of the gospel and salvation are not treasures meant to be hidden!

Matthew 5:14–16 ESV

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

This parable should clearly show us that Christ is not pleased with Christians who do nothing but sit and observe. What we do and how we do it may vary greatly, but we should be working. If our Christianity is a passive thing that never requires work or action, we are like the wicked servant in this parable. What else is worth our greatest attention and effort? If we are not growing in Christ and working for Christ, we are squandering the greatest thing in our lives. How pathetic we are if we bury the Lord’s talent, only to spend our time and energies on our own desires and goals. How dare we neglect the work of the Lord so that we can work for other men and ourselves? Perhaps we think that as long as we don’t “fall away from the church” we’ll be ok. Sure we aren’t growing and producing fruit for the Lord, nor are we even trying to, but at least we’re here right? We still show up right? At least we haven’t lost what the Master gave us. Just wait until we see the result of such an attitude and such behavior.

The Settling of Accounts: Verses 19-23

Matthew 25:19–23 ESV

19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

After a long time, the master returns. When he does, he calls his servants whom he’d entrusted with a portion of his wealth in order to settle accounts with them. One day, every person will stand before Jesus in order to “settle accounts.” All will be required to give an account for how they lived their lives and used the Lord’s blessings.

2 Corinthians 5:10 ESV

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

The settling of accounts for the first two servants is identical. Notice how they both, despite their great profits, recognize that the talents are the Master’s. They would have had no ability to make 5 or 2 more talents had the master not entrusted the talents to them in the first place. Their productivity was only possible because of the master’s generosity and trust. Likewise, while we should work and labor for the Lord, we should never be boastful or arrogant of our work or accomplishments. All we accomplish is done so by the grace of God, and all our strength and ability is only because God has granted it.

In both cases, the master (1)commends the servants. He proclaims, “well done good and faithful servant!” “Faithful” is the key word here, and really the key word for the entire parable. The master had entrusted them with his wealth in order to put it to work and produce more. They had faithfully discharged their duty. They diligently worked with what they had been given, and thus they are not only deemed as faithful, but as “good” servants also. Today, our actions reveal our character. We may wish to be good or even feel we are good, but if we aren’t working for the Master, can our character rightly be appraised as “good?”

The master doesn’t just commend his servants—he (2)honors and elevates them with even greater responsibility. This isn’t punishing the faithful with greater burdens. This is rewarding faithfulness with greater honor and responsibility. We may not be able to determine how this always plays out, or what this means for our eternal reward—but it pleases the Lord to reward faithful servants with an even greater trust and ability to work for and serve Him.

Lastly, the master (3)rewards the servants, saying, “enter into the joy of your master.” The servants had been entrusted with the master’s possessions. Having proven themselves faithful, they would now share the master’s joy.

The Slothful Servant (vv. 24-27)

Matthew 25:24–27 ESV

24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest.

The last servant’s words pose one of the largest problems of the parable. His description of the master paints a less-than-flattering picture. You get the idea the master is a cruel and greedy man. It’s best to understand this servant’s words for what they are—an excuse and nothing more. Like most excuses, it is based on pretense and even falsehood. The master is not a cruel and greedy man. On the contrary, his actions so far have shown him to be a kind and generous man. He had entrusted his servants with great treasure. He let the previous servants retain the original talents and what they’d earned to keep working. He had commended and rewarded them. This isn’t a tyrannical master. This last servant is simply making an excuse. That’s clear, because had the man been a cruel and greedy master, then the final servant’s actions are still foolish. If he knew his master to be greedy and harsh, why would he just hide the talent? Why wouldn’t he at the very least deposit the talent and earn some interest? Not only would he not have lost the talent, but he would have at least earned something for the master. No—this third servant condemns himself. The master is not the one to blame, but the servant. It was his own laziness that prompted his behavior.

Excuses have no part in the Christian’s life. Either we’re seeking to follow God or we’re not. Jesus warned against making excuses in (parable of individuals invited to a banquet, but made excuses for not attending). Excuses won’t help us get into Heaven—they are almost certain to keep us from it!

While the first two servants are noted as “good and faithful” this third servant is “wicked and slothful.” It is important to be diligent and faithful, for such leads to goodness. Slothfulness on the other hand produces wickedness. How hard are you working spiritually? Are you busy serving God in the ways you can? Are you growing? Or are you slothful and lazy when it comes to spiritual matters?

The Sentence: Verses 28-30

Matthew 25:28–30 ESV

28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

The final servant was given an opportunity to serve his master, just like the other servants. Having proven himself as unfaithful, however, further opportunity to serve his master was taken away. So too was his hope of “entering into the joy of the master.”

There will come a point when we run out of time to work for the master. If by then we have not sought faithfulness, it will be too late, and opportunity to work for and honor the Lord will be gone.

The master commands the talent be taken and given to the servant who now has 10 talents. Here we see the master already making good on his promise to grant the faithful servant extra honor and responsibility. The idea that “everyone who has will be given more...” is difficult for some to accept, but we understand the principle well enough in other matters.

Consider the very muscles of our body. If we use them and exercise them, then our muscles can grow stronger, even to the point of being able to do more and lift more. If, however, we sit around and don’t use our muscles, they grow weaker and weaker. So it goes with our faith. If we use it and exercise it according to godliness, we can grow in our faith, perseverance, and godliness. If we don’t exercise our faith though, we will spiritually shrivel until there is no real faith left. Then all we will have is excuses.

Because the final servant is “wicked and slothful” he is deemed as “worthless.” That seems like a harsh thing, but it should drive home the sobering point of just how the Lord views laziness amongst His people.

Instead of being invited to “enter into the joy of the master” the wicked servant is cast into outer darkness—a place described as one of weeping and gnashing of teeth. This is not just a mere dismissal from the Master so that the servant is freed—this is the outer darkness of punishment. Jesus uses language here that highlights the spiritual significance of the parable. He’s not just talking about stewardship; He’s teaching about being prepared for Judgment Day and eternity. Those who are slothful and unprepared will not only lose their reward, they will be cast into Hell as eternal punishment for their unfaithfulness.

Some Summary Points

To recap a few primary lessons of this parable:

Everything belongs to God, and we are simply servants given a stewardship. Even our life belongs to God, and our purpose is to fear Him and keep His commandments.

Whatever God has given us, it is a great gift that can be used. The final servant’s downfall wasn’t that he was a “1-talent man.” Had he used his talent, he would have been rewarded like the others. His talent could have been put to good use. For us, we may have various talents, but they are all useful.

The important thing is not how much is given, but how one uses what is given. If we are a 1-talent servant, that makes us no less important nor less accountable as a 5-talent servant. It’s not the amount, but how we use it. It will not do to simply feel that we are untalented and useless. We can all be used in God’s kingdom. To do nothing because we feel we aren’t “talented enough” is to make the same excuse as the wicked and lazy servant.

We do not know when the Lord is going to return. What we do know is that we will give an account to the Lord when He does return. What we must do is use the time we have. We must be faithful and diligent in working for our Master!

Conclusion

By the love and grace of God, Jesus came to die for our sins. He has established the everlasting kingdom God promised in the Old Testament, but He has returned to the Father for a time. He has entrusted us with the Gospel, and expects us to be diligently working in His kingdom. He has given us all we need to know Him, worship Him, serve Him, and share the with the world the good news of His death, resurrection, and ascension. He will return some day to bring this world to an end and judge all mankind. Those found faithful will inherit eternal life, those found unfaithful, eternal destruction. Don’t you long to hear those words, “Well done good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Master!”? Don’t spend another moment as one who is “wicked and slothful.” Don’t risk for another evening the dreaded fate of being cast into the outer darkness where your eternal lot will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Obey the gospel today! Return to faithful service today, while the Master is still away and you still have opportunity. Begin at once to work for the Master, and prepare for His glorious return!