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

BY ESAYAS EMENE ENICHA (REV.)

Thus, gain is understood as working with the talent we have to multiple numbers of results from the asset. 249 Further, gain also denotes our faithfulness and obedience in using our talents for the growth of the kingdom of God. 250 Some understood gain as the promotion of a servant for his or her effective use of the talent. 251 Spiritually, “gain” is perceived as the increase of the spiritual gifts in the individual for building the church (1Cor. 14:12). 252 This means that God upgrades the gift of the effective servant to higher responsibility.

To make clear “trade” and “gain,” the research participants offered examples, such as the works of the Christian businessman and the pastor. For a businessman, trade is making the business achieve better income, being strategic in the business; then gain could be opening job opportunities for jobless people, supporting the needy significantly, paying tithe to the church, sending missionaries to unreached places. Likewise, for the pastor, trade is living an exemplary life for the members of the congregation, teaching the word of God, prayer, putting strategic plans for church ministry and coordinating people according to their talents. For him/her, the gain could be making disciples, increasing the number of believers, bringing impact upon the community to exercise Christ’s love, leading the congregation to practice helping the sick and hungry, and people in spiritual, economic, and social difficulties.

It is recognized that trade and gain for congregations are teaching the word of God, witnessing the good news to unbelievers, equipping for ministry, and helping the needy. But practically, there are wealthy and very poor in the congregations, but no way of sharing. There are people with different qualifications in the congregations, but no organized way of sharing knowledge; there are congregation members in political positions and in high level positions, but members often are not exemplary in fighting against corruption, in being just, and Christ-like.

The root causes for ineffectiveness of congregations and congregants in gaining or serving others are that teachings in the congregations emphasis more salvation by grace, and emphasis less practical life. In the beginning of propagating the gospel, sharing what we have with those in need, the biblical concept of work, and social and political responsibilities of Christians were not regarded as part of Christian life. Practical issues have not been emphasised, for instance giving tithe, supporting the needy; and fighting against bad habits, like the practice of slavery and drinking alcohol, have not been prohibited (about 30% of our congregation members use much alcohol in some areas of the synod, and as a result there are social problems, and conflicts often happen among those congregations whose members drink excessive alcohol). In addition, initially church work was fully dependent on the funds coming from abroad, thus, no internal attempts were made to complement the external support. Though the congregations are able to influence the community economically, socially and spiritually, there are street children who are subjected to suffering, there are old and sick people dying in the street because of lack of basic needs, and the youth are struggling because of lack of job opportunities. Moreover, there has been social injustice, unfair economic distribution, high corruption especially in governmental structures; there is ethnic-based hatred and even murder and deeply rooted poverty in the community, while congregation members are well represented in political leadership positions.

Nowadays in our town, beggars sit in front of Orthodox churches and Muslim mosques on every Sunday and Friday to receive money from people who are going to church or mosque, but not a single beggar is coming to Protestant churches. Of course, the orthodox Christians give money for beggars because of their belief in being saved through good works. However, the Protestants do not lend their hand for the poor; perhaps we are satisfied with justification by faith alone.

The poor people picture Protestantism as the religion with no concern for the poor. Four years ago, there was a big protestant spiritual gathering in the town. Through that gathering, many people came to believe in Jesus Christ as saviour. But when one of the beggars heard this news, he regretted and said, “If all people will become Protestant, who can feed us?” This shows that the congregations are not gaining by God-given talents, and it will take a lot of effort to change this situation.