Parables and Talents

What is the message behind a story? Jesus spoke in parables when he spoke to the multitude of followers but why did He choose this form of communication? The Lord gave the answer; 

Matthew 13:9-13 NKJV — “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” 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 has not been given. “For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. “Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.

Which brings us to the parable of the talents. They say that “Money makes the world go round” and of all the parables that Jesus spoke to His followers, the parable of the talents, not only affected the society of His time but it is also very relevant to our lives today: Money and the responsibility that comes with it. 

The legacies that people leave behind are usually discussions for the living but what they leave for people to inherit can be subject from ridicule to praise. What most people don’t consider is the eternal ramifications of their handling of their inheritance or in this case, talents, may have. 

Matthew 25:13-30 NKJV — “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming. “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.

“And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. “Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 

“And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. “But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. “After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 

“He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. ‘And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. ‘So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 

‘Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. ‘And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

What most people fail to realize is that God gives talents to every person. These talents vary from person to person. However, we have to give account of these gifts to their owner. Since Jesus was referring to the Kingdom of Heaven in the parable, we learn that our lives are not ours to live according to our desires. We owe our lives and wealth to God. As Christians, we are waiting for the return of Jesus Christ, so we become like those stewards, faithfully using our Master’s assets while waiting for His return. 

There are some, unfortunately, that are not happy or even feel disrespected with the talent or the portion that was given to them. They fail to realize that this is not only a test of faith but a test of character. If we are fortunate to be in a position for someone to leave us an inheritance, no matter what the size, we should give God thanks for placing the desire for someone to gives us that talent. God is not against in making a profit or substantial gain with what is given us but we must pray for wisdom on how we utilize the inheritance the Lord has granted us. We must learn not to operate in fear when things get rough and the money gets tight. Jesus will deliver us from our troubles if we just put our trust in Him and believe what God’s word promises His children if we obey and follow His commandments.

The talents that God has granted us is according to the abilities that you have to take the talent or inheritance to not only provide for you and your family but also to aid and help those in need. If we put our faith in God to action then we will truly be fruitful and multiply the rewards that the Lord has promised us in His everlasting Kingdom. Be thankful for the talents you have for the Lord knows whether you will be faithful with little or more.

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