The Parable of the Talents

The Parable of the Talents is found in twenty-fifth chapter of St Matthew’s Gospel (25: 14 – 30).  (It is also found in St Luke’s Gospel as well (19: 11 – 27).)  We read of three servants with the same common master, but there are two different outcomes.  The parable begins with the master summoning the three servants:

For there was a certain man who called his servants and entrusted to them his possessions.  And to one he gave five talents, to one two, and to one one — to each according to his ability (St Matthew 25: 15)

After some time the master returns and calls for an accounting.  However, we discover there were two very different outcomes.  The servant given five talents invests the money and doubles the amount.  So does the servant given the two talents.  To these servants their master gives them his words of praise: 

Well done good and faithful servant.  With a little you were faithful, and you will be entrusted with much more.  Enter into the joy of your lord!” (St Matthew 25: 21, 23).  

The third servant proved to be fearful and guarded:  Knowing his master could be shrewd and demanding he buried his talent and earns nothing.  He receives a very different message from their common master,

…Evil and lazy servant!  You knew I harvested where I did not sow and gathered up what I did not winnow.  You should have taken my silver to the banks and when I returned I might have earned the interest.  Therefore, take from him the talent and give it to the one having ten talents!  For the having much shall be given more and shall have in an abundance, and to the one who has nothing — it shall be taken from him!  Cast him into the outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth! (St Matthew 25: 26 – 30).

(There is a clear parallel with this parable to the outcomes of the Last Judgement:  We have two sets of people, and both groups call Jesus “Lord”.  Yet, there are two equally contrasting outcomes.  Those faithful to Christ by caring for the poor, the ill, and the prisoner will be welcomed into the Kingdom of God, while those who did not act faithfully will receive this sentence:  “Depart from me…! (St Matthew 25: 41)).

George Orwell

In these days we will likely find the treatment of the third and fearful servant to be very unfair.  The master knew he had lesser abilities than the other two servants.  His damning sentence seems exceptionally unfair since he did not lose any of the money entrusted to him.  We find this outrageously unjust because we expect leniency in this day and age.  We may find the master unbearable because we are beginning to expect equity to be the new norm for all — identical outcomes for all in spite of accomplishment or ability.  It must be noted that equity is quite a new and abnormal expectation, and one that is dangerous.  It is dangerous because equity ultimately is a clear form of collectivism.  And as George Orwell states, a collectivism will demand the tyranny of totalitarianism.

However, in contrast to this parable our Lord has stated that “a bruised reed will not be broken, and a flickering candle will not be extinguished”.  Yet faithfulness is demanded from the faithful no matter the portion of faith / grace given to us.  St Paul writes to us:  “ing then gifts differing according to the grace given us, let us use them” (Romans 12: 6).

As love is not a feeling, but demands action, so faith is not simply an acceptance of certain intellectual propositions.  It, too, demands action (see Philippians 2: 12 -13)!  St Paul gives us this instruction:  “Now we exhort you, brethren, to warn the idle, encourage the faint-hearted, to help the weak, and to be patient will all” (1 Thessalonians 5: 14).  Regarding the “idle,” St Paul refers not only to those who are physically idle, but also to those who are spiritually idle!

How do we then put our faith into action?  By doing.  I give to you an axiom:  we must do in order that we might become.  Allow me to suggest as a guide the concept of an ethic of being.  If you want to develop the faithful virtue of truthfulness, tell the truth.  If you want to become compassionate and merciful, then act accordingly.  If you want to develop the faithful virtue of gratitude, then give thanks at all all times, in every setting, and for all things.  St Paul gives to us these verses:  

Do not repay evil for evil, but pursue the good both for one another and for all.  Rejoice always.  Pray constantly.  Give thanks in, with, and for all things, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5: 15 – 18).

In a few more verses from this same epistle St Paul writes,

Now, may the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly, and keep your spirit, soul, and body sound and blameless in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ.  The one who calls you is faithful and he will do this (1 Thessalonians 5: 23)

We all have differing amounts of faith.  We have been been given differing gifts of the Holy Spirit.  As St Paul commands us:  “Let us use them!” (Romans 12: 6) that we may hear these blessed words from our Lord, “Well done my good and faithful servant!  Enter into the joy of your Lord!”

The following is a corresponding sermon:

In Christ, 

Fr Irenaeus