The parable of the talents
JESUS told his disciples this parable: 14“A man going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. 15To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one – to each according to his ability. Then he went away. Immediately 16the one who received five talents went and traded with them, and made another five. 17Likewise, the one who received two made another two. 18But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried his master’s money.
19After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them. 20The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the additional five. He said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.’ 21His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’… 24Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a demanding person, harvesting where you did not plant and gathering where you did not scatter; 25so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground. Here it is back.’ 26His master said to him in reply, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant and gather where I did not scatter? 27Should you not then have put my money in the bank so that I could have got it back with interest on my return? 28Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten. 29For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’ ”
REFLECTION
WATCH AND ACT… FOR THE DAY OF THE LORD COMES! Jesus tells the story of a master going on a long journey. He entrusts his money (talenta) to his three servants while he is away. The talenton is the greatest unit of accounting Greek money, based on the weight of a precious metal such as silver or gold. The master gives each of them the responsibility for a huge amount of money according to each one’s ability. While the master is away, the servants take the initiative in managing his property.
After a long time, the master returns and calls the three servants for an accounting. The first and the second servants have doubled his money. The master is thus overjoyed and rewards them for being “good and faithful” stewards. The third servant, however, has hidden the money, for fear of his master, and now returns it to him. The master gets angry and condemns him as a “wicked, lazy servant.”
Jesus’ story is not difficult to understand, for the scene is very contemporary. It speaks of a down-to-earth reality about taking responsibility and being accountable to the boss for money or task. The initiative one takes will determine the success or failure of the enterprise.
As a parable, however, Jesus’ story is saying something more. Matthew touches on the end-time where the master is Jesus, the Son of Man coming back to judge the world. The servants are the disciples entrusted with his work or mission while they await his coming. During his absence, since only God knows the day and hour of his return, the disciples are enjoined to be watchful and to act appropriately as responsible stewards.
Good and faithful disciples imitate God, who is good, and are consistent with their commitment as trusted servants. They will be rewarded with greater tasks and responsibilities as they enter into the joy and abundance of the reign of God. On the contrary, the disciples who do not perceive the love and trust of the master for them and do not appropriately act or take risks on their tasks and responsibilities, due to fear and laziness, cannot come before God’s presence.
The parable speaks about discipleship, especially the relationship of trust and love between the Master and the disciples, and the latter’s commitment to fulfill the tasks and responsibilities entrusted them in the Christian community.