“What will be the sign of your coming at the end of the age?” It is this question from the disciples that leads to Jesus’ discourse that included three parables of judgment, one of which is our Gospel reading this morning.
As the story begins, a man entrusts his property to his servants as he left on an extended journey. To one he gave five talents; to another he gave two talents and to the third, he gave one talents to “each according to his ability.” Now the exact value of a talent is not entirely clear, but by implication it is a significant amount of money. The first two servants doubled the amount given to them by trade and investment. The third simply dug a hole and hid his single talent.
When the master returned from the trip to settle his accounts, he praised the first two servants as good and trustworthy. They had taken a risk and had skillfully managed what they were given; thus they would be entrusted with additional responsibility and the joy of the master’s presence.
However, when the third servant only returned the single talent, the Master took the talent and gave it to the servant who had realized the greatest return. While the third servant was honest and did not lose his master’s money, he was accused of being wicked and lazy. He defended himself by saying he acted out of fear because the master was a “harsh man.” The master does not deny this, but for that very reason the talent should have at least been invested conservatively where it could receive interest.
The master goes on to say that “more will be given to those who have much while from those who have nothing, even that will be taken away.” Thus one must act responsibly and also willing to take a risk in expectation of the coming of the Son of Man. The third servant simply did not use what he was given in order to fulfill the expectations of his master. His actions were self-protective and self-serving. In the end, he was further punished and represents the opposite of entering the joy of the master.
Each man was given a talent according to his ability; thus no one was expected to perform beyond his capacity. While not clear if the talents here are understood as money, or allegorically, as skills, the point is not the profit gained, but how each man performed according to what was entrusted to him.
In Matthew’s Gospel, the parable, or allegory, is about the return of the Christ and build on the theme of constant watchfulness. Rather than simply living safely, we are to use the gifts we have given in ways that reflect the creativity and commitment of God Himself. We are to be good stewards of the Gospel by proclaiming the Good News and not hiding away. Our reward is the everlasting joy of God’s Kingdom.
What can we take away from this parable? First, Matthew does not describe in detail the rewards that are for those who perform well in this life, but the excuse of the servant who hid what had been entrusted to him is reminded that “more shall be given” to the person who has much;” while those who are lacking will be deprived of even what they started out with. The primary lesson is clear: we can expect to be called to account for how we managed what God has given us to work with.
But the story also offers us an additional insight. Not everyone uses his or her gifts or talents in a wise and positive way. But, at the time of accounting, the quality of our use of these many gifts will be revealed. The master is this parable/allegory is a hard-to-please person who “reaps where he has not sown.” So, the third servant is intimidated by the challenge and will not venture a risk, not even to the point of putting money in the hands of a trader or banker who would at least return some interest on its use. And the lesson for us is about trust and betrayal.
And what we take away is that they contain each other. You cannot have trust without the possibility of betrayal. We are betrayal, as the master was in the parable, in the very relationship where trust was possible. We can only be betrayed by those we truly trust – by brothers and sisters; husbands or wives; not by enemies or strangers. The greater the love, loyalty, involvement and commitment, the greater the betrayal.
In the end, the talents represent any resources that might be expanded in service of God’s providence and rule. We must own our collective values, decisions, stewardship. Like the servants in our parable, we are entrusted with much of sacred value. And like them, we are accountable. God’s call to us is to follow in whatever ways we are called, using courage, risk and intelligence as we move forward. But, we are warned that neglect of what God has endowed us with will sooner or later be regretted. For even God takes the “risk” of reaching out to us in love – in the supreme act of giving which cost the Father the life of His Son. And it is this Good News that we share.
Source: © The Rev. Peter Groschner, November 19, 2017. Matthew 25:14-30. Reprinted with permission from the author.