Matthew Nath – Author

This week I wanted to break down the parable of the talents. Another very familiar parable, I would say, right? If I had to venture a guess, I would say I could get a reasonable description of this parable from at least 75% of church-going Christians. To make sure we’re all on the same page, though, I’m going to ask you to join me as we to turn our Bibles (or open your Bible app on your phone if your feeling lazy like me) to Matthew 25:14-30 and read. Come back when you’re done.

Familiar, right? But powerful. It seemed worth discussing a little bit. So, this is one of the many parables of Jesus. These were short stories he gave us that would help reveal deeper truths to his followers. And I just noticed something. I usually use the NIV version and it is called the parable of the bags of gold there. I learned it in middle/high school as talents, and I think talents helps us understand this parable much more easily, so I’m going to use that.

The wealthy merchant is going on a long journey and, as any wise man would, he doesn’t want to leave his money just sitting around. He gives it to some of his trusted servants. His most trusted servant (I imagine Geoffrey from the Fresh Prince of Bel Air here) gets 5 talents, a less capable servant gets 2 and a third gets 1. Then he leaves. Immediately the 5 talent and 2 talent guys get to work and double their money! The one talent guy, though, he runs and buries his talent in the ground and hides it.

So, this being a parable, these talents are obviously not supposed to mean money. What is Jesus really talking about? I’m going to try to make the case that when Jesus says “talents” he means something like “spiritual gifts.” God has gifted all of his followers with spiritual gifts and expects us to use them to work with others. In the parable Jesus is represented by the Master who leaves. Just like the master goes on a journey, Jesus ascended to prepare a place for us. Just as the master will return from his journey, Jesus will one day return. In the meantime, he entrusted his talents to us based on our ability.

Why would I think these are spiritual gifts though? Well it is something valuable and something that the servants are able to use productively. You could argue it was literal money, but that would be too obvious. And if that is too obvious, pretty much any material thing is too obvious. These were stories that weren’t meant to be understood by everyone, but only those who truly knew him. What is a valuable, non-material thing that Jesus could give us? The only thing I can think of is spiritual gifts. You could say the Holy Spirit but that isn’t given in different proportions to believers, I don’t think. And anyways, the Holy Spirit would work through spiritual gifts so it is essentially the same thing.

So, if these talents are spiritual gifts, how are we to use them? We aren’t actually told at all. You’d think that would be important, right? But, it being a parable, parts are left mysterious. All we are given is that the 5 talent and 2 talent guys “put their money to work” or “went and traded with the same.” That’s it. No direction except to use them with other people. To work with them. This is not an instructive parable; it is instead a cautionary parable.

Well geez, I guess this is going to be a two-parter. Tune in next time!