In ancient times, talents were a unit of measurement and weight used by Jews in their daily lives. Find out through this interesting article what is the parable of the talents and what is its powerful teaching in today's world? Surprising!
parable of the talents
The parable of the talents is one of the teachings that the Lord has left us in the Gospel of Matthew, specifically in chapter 25:14-30. If you want to deepen the topics addressed in this first book of the New Testament, we invite you to enter the following link entitled The Gospel of Matthew.
Now, getting into the matter, a talent in the times of Jesus was a unit of weight measurement that represented thirty kilos of gold, therefore it was also a monetary value. For the time, a talent was an expensive piece that anyone could have. In other words, a talent was a thirty kilo coin that established the Babylonian empire and gave a certain status to the person possessing that talent.
As for talent, in the context of the Word of God it is a positive quality that a person possesses. In this sense, any bearer of talents can have one or several talents. Now, it is up to the person to take advantage of it or simply not know what his talent is.
Currently, the word talent has acquired real importance, as it highlights the positive qualities of people. Talent for preaching the Word of God, for writing, studying, speaking, singing, dancing, among others. In this case, a talent is a gift given by God so that that person stands out for something specific.
By clarifying the meaning of the word talents we will be able to deepen what Jesus meant through the parable of the talents.
Parable of the talents 25:14-15
The parable of the talents and that of the ten virgins address a common theme that refers to prudence and folly and their relationship with the kingdom of heaven. By scrutinizing this parable and comparing it with that of the ten virgins, we can realize that the Lord seeks to highlight the role that a servant of God must assume. Among these characteristics should be prudence.
Mattheww 7:7-8
14 For the kingdom of heaven is like a man who went far away and called his servants and gave them his possessions.
15 To one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one, to each according to his ability; and then he went away.
Reading in the previous verse about the distribution of talents, taking into account the capabilities of each of these people, we can realize that God gives us talents that we can develop. These qualities distinguish us from others. They make us stand out. Our Lord is not going to give us a talent that will cut short our lives.
As we can see, the man who distributed the talents, who in this context would represent God gives five talents to one, two to another and so on, but the word ability stands out. That is, the talents will be according to the characteristics, physical, spiritual, emotional of the people. In this case, the Lord knows us and knows what we are good for and what we are not.
This man gives his servants all his goods, but he will return to be accounted for what he has left in their hands. In other words, the Lord will return and hold his Christian servants accountable for the talents he has left them and how they managed to multiply them.
Parable of the talents 25:16-18
Then, on the return of the master, each of the servants must render an account. Each of them explains what they did with his talents.
Mattheww 7:7-8
16 And he that had received five talents went and traded with them, and gained another five talents.
17 Also the one who had received two, also gained two others.
18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord's money.
In this case, the first servant managed to negotiate the five talents that his lord gave him and multiplied the investment. The second servant also managed to double the amount given to him. The third, unlike his colleagues, hides it under the ground.
In this context, the word talent refers to the time spent investing and applying the talent(s). Likewise, it refers to the attitude that the servant assumes towards that gift that God has granted him; and diligence on the other hand. That is, there are people who do nothing to put their talent into practice, this means that they are not diligent.
For example, the third servant was negligent, because he did not do anything with his talent, he did not invest time, nor did he take advantage of the opportunities to multiply those talents. As King Solomon states, in his book:
Ecclesiastes 9:11
11 I turned and saw under the sun, that the race is not for the swift, nor the war for the strong, nor even for the wise the bread, nor for the prudent the riches, nor for the eloquent the favor; but time and chance happen to all.
The time that God has given you is your time on Earth. The Lord reveals to us that all human beings have talents. It is up to us to discover what we are good at and how to use them for his kingdom.
In that sense, there is no excuse to say that we do not know what we are for. We must find out. Nor can we take refuge in saying that you have often been told that you are not good for this or that. You just have to discover it and put it into practice. All for the benefit of the kingdom of God.
Well, many people use their talents in the wrong way. They use it to do wrong or they just go astray from the right path and implement their talents in sins.
Parable of the talents 25:19-23
After these things, the man in the parable of the talents returns and meets with each of his servants so that they can explain what they have done with each of the talents given.
Matthew 25: 19
19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them
The return of the Lord represents the second coming of Christ. At that time we will all have to give an account to God of our actions and how we take advantage of the talents that he gave us. Daily work, according to God's will, will bring us rewards. As we can see in the Parable of the talents, his lord rewarded them for multiplying the given investment.
Matthew 25: 20-23
20 And the one who had received five talents came and brought another five talents, saying, Lord, you gave me five talents; here you go, I've gained another five talents on them.
21 And his master said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant; You have been faithful over little, I will put you over much; Enter into the joy of your Lord.
22 The one who had received two talents also came and said, Lord, you gave me two talents; here you go, I've gained another two talents on them.
23 His master said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant; You have been faithful over little, I will put you over much; Enter into the joy of your Lord.
The parable of the talents metaphorically describes how things happen in the kingdom of God. After receiving salvation by grace, our works are the product of the communion we have with God. In this sense, every good deed will have its reward in heaven. The Lord tells us in his Word that even a glass of water is counted.
On this earth we receive blessings, but in the kingdom of heaven we will receive other rewards according to our good deeds. This does not mean in any way that by good works we have been saved. salvation is an act of faith in Jesus Christ and his sacrifice on the cross. It is a gift from God.
As we have warned, good deeds are the product of communion with God and the rewards will come from there.
Parable of the talents 25:24-28
In contrast to the other first two servants, the third, who had been given a talent, begins to give him a series of explanations before being asked by his master. How incredible that this servant begins to manifest a wealth of knowledge that he has about his lord and even so he did not specify anything with his talent.
The same thing happens in the kingdom of heaven. In the presence of God, many arrive expressing all the knowledge they can have of the Bible, of doctrines, of theology. Likewise, many go to worship to worship God, but ultimately their hearts are far from the Lord.
Mattheww 7:7-8
24 But the one who had received one talent also came and said: Lord, I knew you that you are a hard man, that you reap where you did not sow and gather where you did not spread;
25 therefore I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the earth; here you have what is yours.
26 Answering his master, he said to him: Bad and negligent servant, you knew that I reap where I did not sow, and that I gather where I did not spread.
27 Therefore, you should have given my money to the bankers, and when I came, I would have received what is mine with interest.
28 So take the talent away from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.
Analyzing the words of that servant we can understand that he knew that his master was powerful: "you reap where you did not sow and gather where you did not scatter", but he was unable to be faithful to what he had been entrusted with.
Many who claim to be Christians may see wonders and signs, even preach the Word of God, but doubt the atoning power of the blood of the Lamb of God. They deny the gifts of the Holy Spirit. They do not carry out the actions corresponding to the Bible, nor do they submit to the will of God.
Parable of the talents 25:29-30
The parable of the talents ends, affirming once again that the one who has more will be rewarded and will have more and not only materially, but in all areas of his life, the Lord Jesus Christ will bless him and see the greatness of God in this and the afterlife.
Matthew 25: 29-30
29 For to him who has, it will be given, and he will have more; and whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away.
30 And throw the useless servant outside into the darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
As for the negligent servant, everything that was given to him will be taken away from him and he will be separated and cast out of the kingdom of heaven. It is important that we remember that our God is Almighty. A just and merciful God. Within his justice, he will have to fulfill his own word, because he will not arrive empty.
In this sense, the Lord will take into account the heart of the servant, his intentions, the results of his life and what he invested every moment and talent. Therefore, we invite you to reconsider what you have been doing with your life and ask for forgiveness. It is time to redirect your life and surrender it to God.
What is a parable?
Parables is a literary genre that leaves a teaching or moral. Jesus resorted to this way to teach his disciples or followers to give a message and leave a particular teaching. He sometimes also used the parables to give a message to the world, to the Pharisees and the doctors of the law. At this point, it seems appropriate to invite you to read the following link related to the parable contained in this title What is the Good Shepherd? This truth was told by Jesus Christ to his apostles, after he gave the parable of the sower.
Matthew 13
10 Then the disciples came and said to him, Why do you speak to them in parables?
11 He answered and said to them: Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven; but to them it is not given.
Jesus Christ during his ministry here on earth, on some occasions gave some messages of the Kingdom of God to the people and his disciples through parables. The parables of Jesus are his teachings concentrated in short stories that reveal a spiritual truth. He made these stories in a symbolic and comparative way. So that the people who listened to it could reflect and discover the true message contained in them.
The comparisons that Jesus made in his parables were about credible events or situations. Most of them in simple examples and everyday life to make it easier to understand it. The parables were told by Jesus to his disciples and to the crowd that followed him at all times to listen to him or for an opportunity to touch him, aware of the power he exercised.
Finally, we leave you the following video that deals with this beautiful parable.