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

BY ESAYAS EMENE ENICHA (REV.)

The method of the field study was firstly distributing a questionnaire to the above selected individuals in the SWS. These persons were asked to give written answers to the questions, but it was also planned to invite them for meetings after the written responses were read and analysed in order to collect supplemental information and secure a correct assessment of their actual responses to the questionnaire; and such meetings took place. Actually, for Mafo congregation leaders, they only did the group meeting, because some of them are not trained to respond to such questions in written form.

The questionnaire contained six questions based on the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25: 14-30, to be addressed to the focus groups in order to find out how the use of talents is understood and practiced in the congregations. Below, the perceptions of the above mentioned groups are described for the questions prepared from Matt. 25:14-30.

4.2. WHAT IS A TALENT IN THE GOSPEL OF MATHEW 25:14-30? AND WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF JESUS IN TELLING THIS PARABLE?

The research participants understand the Parable of the Talents according to Matt. 25:14-30 to show the second coming of the Lord, and that it utters how each Christian uses his gift. 236 Talents encompass all the gifts, be they natural or spiritual gifts that we have been endowed with from God. The knowledge (inherent potential) and skill are from God and all of these are talents. It is the enriched potential, naturally given to every person, and it is the God-given ability and characteristics which can be multiplied, exchanged and grown. More precisely, the talents signify all our property, money, skill, and knowledge, natural resources (land, water, and air). 237 Spiritually, the talents encompass the life which we have received from Christ, and the spiritual gifts endowed by the Holy Spirit.

Furthermore, the research participants understand that the Bible expresses that the source of the talent is God, saying, “all the good gifts and perfect blessings are from the Father of light” (Jas. 1:17).238 As God had given wisdom and understanding to Bezalel and Oholiab to work on the tabernacle, the talent is our God-given ability and skill to do any work in His kingdom (Exod. 36:1). God gives talents with His own purpose; and there will be a time when God counts what He has given, either to reward or to punish the servant to whom it was entrusted. Hence, the talent belongs to God, and thus, receivers are stewards, not owners.239

236 Informant 6, 13 July 2018.

237 Informant 5, 3 July 2018.

238 Informant 1, 4 July2018.

239 Ibid.

The participants also highlight that, symbolically, the parable teaches us the earnestness of our God-given gift and shows the effect of using or rejecting to work on them. 240 Also, it carries the message that everyone has a responsibility to work on it, 241 or it communicates God’s expectation of us to bear fruit and lead our lives productively by maximally exploiting our knowledge and skill and effectively delivering our responsibility for the organization we are working for. 242

The research participants understand the message that Jesus wanted to communicate through this parable implies that God bestowed a gift to all disciples to work on it, and the performance will be settled when Jesus returns back. 243 It also signifies that the new life of the one who believes in Christ should bear fruit by being light and salt of the world. Moreover, the new life could be a blessing for others. 244

The parable shows the one who gives responsibility, the one who receives the responsibility and the evaluation of the accomplishment by the giver. Accordingly, the giver of the talent is Jesus Christ; those who have been entrusted the talent are His disciples. Based on this understanding, the message of this parable is working effectively in the given talent to receive praise in the coming kingdom of God.

4.3. THE TWO SERVANTS WHO HAD BEEN ENTRUSTED WITH FIVE AND TWO TALENTS MADE A TRADE AND DOUBLED THEIR TALENTS. WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND ABOUT MAKING TRADE AND GAINING PROFIT WITH THE TALENTS?

Trade is understood by the research participants to be our activity or exercise with our talents for productivity. 245 It also denotes to give service faithfully 246 or to put the talent to use. 247 More precisely, trade by the talent implies effectively using our God-given gifts for the purpose that He entrusted us. Though the responsibility requires sacrifice, trading with the talent denotes to be faithful stewards to pay costs to accomplish our entrusted duties. 248

240 Informant 3, 1 July 2018

241 Informant 2, 5 July 2018.

242 Informant 1 and 2, 4 July 2018.

243 Informant 10, 9 July 2018.

244 Informant 11, 12 July 2018.

245 Ibid.

246 Informant 5, 3 July 2018.

247 Informant 2, 5 July 2018

248 Informant 1, 4 July 2018.