The Parable Of The Talents
Robert Meredith
What are the talents spoken of in the parable of the talents? Are they monetary or individual talents? The parable of the talents (Matt. 25:14-30) was taught by our Lord Jesus Christ in response to a question. In Matthew 24:3 His disciples asked, Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world? Jesus had just informed them that the temple in Jerusalem would be destroyed (Matt. 24:1-2). Because of this, His disciples asked their question. In answering the last part of their question, What shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?, Jesus told them that only God the Father knows when that will occur (Matt. 24:36). Our Lord then proceeded to instruct them to always be ready for His coming (Matt. 24:42,44). The parables of Matthew 25 were taught to teach us to be ready always (the parable of the virgins) and how to be ready (the parable of the talents and the parable of the judgment). After teaching His disciples to always be ready in the parable of the virgins, Jesus concluded it by saying, Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh (Matt. 25:31). The parable of the talents was then given to teach us how to watch and be ready for His coming.
In the direct context of the parable, a talent is a measure of money worth about $935.00. Therefore, this parable is certainly teaching us that we are going to have to give an account (Matt. 25:19-20) of how we used the monetary blessings that our God has given to us. The Bible teaches that we are stewards. A steward is one entrusted with the goods of another. God has entrusted to us the use of His goods. The Apostle Paul tells us, Moreover, it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful (1 Cor. 4:2).
When one considers the parable of the talents and the lesson our Lord was trying to instill within us, and limits it to money only, he is neglecting the broader meaning. The Lord is certainly teaching that we will have to give account of how we used the money with which He has blessed us. But the principle would surely apply in a broader scope. God has blessed all of us with so much. In Ephesians 5:16 one reads, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. One will have to give account to Jesus on Judgment Day as to how he used the time that God has given him. Also, God has blessed many with children. The Psalmist declared, Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward (Ps. 127:3). Parents have the stewardship over their children, and must train them in Gods ways (Prov. 22:6; Eph. 6:4; Deut. 6:6-7).
In the parable, the word talent does not mean ability, but a measure of money. However, God gave to every man according to his several ability (Matt. 25:15). One will have to give account for how he used all that God gave him in accordance with his abilities. It has been said that talent plus opportunity equals responsibility. God has blessed some with the ability to teach, others with the ability to lead singing, others with still other abilities/talents. There are no zero talent individuals. We all can do something: send a card, make an encouraging phone call, clean a home or building, etc.
The parable of the talents was taught to teach us how to watch (v. 13). One watches for the Lords coming by being faithful to what God has entrusted to him. No one knows the day or the hour when our Lord shall return, therefore, let us be like the wise virgins of Matthew 25:1-13 and be ready for His coming. How can we be ready? First by being His child through gospel obedience (1 Cor. 4:15), and then by using wisely the things God has entrusted to us (Matt. 25:23).