THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS IN MATTHEW 25:14–30

BY ESAYAS EMENE ENICHA (REV.)

Thus, as the disciples await the return of the Son of Man, they must teach that industriousness of discipleship is a testimony of one’s love and trust in Jesus as Lord. But their perseverance should not come from a self-advancing motivation. It should be demonstrated in serving others as Jesus did (Matt. 20:20-28). 233 For those, who in the guise of serving Christ actually live for themselves, the pay back has eternal ramifications. Such people lose not only their reward, but their eternal destiny. 234

3.5. SUMMARY OF THE EXEGESIS

The detailed exegesis of the Parable of the Talents has made known the importance of being practical in using our God-given talents while anticipating the second coming of the Son of God.

Firstly, Christ is depicted as the trustworthy Lord who entrusted His property to His own servants, by implication to the church at His departure (ascension). Thus, whatever we have here belongs to Him; we are stewards of His property. Since, our opportunities and abilities belong to God, we need to use them with absolute obedience to the Lord (Matt. 25:14; Luke 16:1-2; 1Cor. 4:1-2). However, God overburdens no one; He gives His talent in accordance to how the servant is endowed with ability by nature, or as He assigns grace to the person (Rom 12:3, 6; Eph. 4:7). Accordingly, since not all men have the same ability, therefore not all have the same, or an equal number of opportunities. In the Day of Judgment, the number of opportunities for service (“talent”) will not matter. The question is only: “Have we been faithful in their use?” (See Matt. 25:15, 19-23, 26; also 7:24-27.)235

Secondly, the parable discloses the work of the church in the post-Easter period. In this period, the disciples (church) are to trade and gain profit in the talents they have been given. Though the talent literally means money, it denotes the personal investment of the disciple for increment of his talent. Additionally, it is about stewardship of what has been given to individual disciples. Thus, the ‘trade’ signifies the effective use of God-given gifts, natural and spiritual (1 Cor. 4:1-2; 6:19-20, 9:9-10; 1Pet. 4:10). However, having gain theologically signifies when one benefits the kingdom of God in one’s increment of talent (1 Cor. 9:22; Phil. 2:5-8). Consequently, the faithful servants are appreciated for their performance and their reward connotes an upgrade in their work and entering into everlasting life (Matt. 25:21, 23, 34-40, 46b; 2 Tim. 4:7-8).

Thirdly, the parable depicts the one having buried his talent. However, burying the talent can mean not only no possibility of loss, but also no possibility of gain; just keeping the God-given talent as it is (Matt. 25:18). The third servant buried his talent because of the wrong attitude he had developed towards his master (Matt. 25:24-25), and his disobedience to fulfill his responsibility created fear in not using his talent.

On the day of settling the account, the master announces the unfaithful servant an ‘evil and lazy servant’, which implies the disciple who does not show his faith in action. This wicked servant loses his position in serving the kingdom of God here in this world (Matt. 25: 28), and finally the destiny of this servant ends up in hell.

Therefore, the Parable of the Talents successively presents the manner of how the individual disciple receives gifts and how he shall use it in a responsible way. Accordingly, chapter four, the exegesis on vs. 14-15, discloses the entrusting of talents; chapter five, the exegesis on vs.16-17, shows the need to work diligently on the given gift; and the sixth chapter, the exegesis on vs. 19-23, implies the reward of the industrious servants; and finally, chapter seven exhibits the burying of the talents and settling of responsibilities in the end time (vs. 18, 24-30).