Parable of the Talents
Author: Joseph
Date: April 28, 2024
Another parable is given regarding Yeshua’s return, but this time in regards to the responsibility of utilizing what has been given to those who have put their faith in Him. God gives responsibility to those who become His disciples and with that responsibility comes a time of reaping from that which was given. This is the basis of the parable.
The parable begins with a rich many entrusting his possessions to his slaves, giving each an amount of talents (currency) in order to perform his work while he is away on a journey. This is a depiction of Yeshua’s enabling of His disciples after He ascends into heaven and goes away for a time until His return. He leaves them each with an allotted portion, an entrusted amount of responsibility to use and to multiply His initial investment. The first two servants, given five talents and two talents respectively, invest their wealth and produce more from it.
The third servant, however, digs a hole and buries the money, not using it as the rich man had instructed and instead, simply returning exactly what was given to him. The money was simply hid away, unused, not even invested in a secure account that could accumulate wealth through interest (Matthew 25:27). This third servant is called, “wicked” and “lazy” by the rich master when he returns (Matthew 25:26). The third servant is not only scolded for his carelessness, but he is also thrown out into darkness (out of the kingdom of God).
The one who hides away from their responsibilities as a disciple of Yeshua to bear fruit from His provision will be cut off. They are like branches without fruit (John 15:2). For the one who receives the words of Yeshua and bears fruit of repentance does so even hundredfold (Matthew 13:23). This produces good not only in the life of that disciple, but also in the lives of others who are also blessed through their obedience to God.
An important saying is mentioned in this parable:
“For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away”(Matthew 25:29).
For the one who has received what God has provided and then brings forth fruit from it indeed will be given more. But the one who does not bear fruit, yet has been provided the means to do so, will also have the means to do so taken away from him when he does not bear fruit. Yeshua consistently conveys the message that a fruitless person will be cut off and will not enter the kingdom of God.
"...a fruitless person will be cut off and will not enter the kingdom of God."
To bear fruit means to use what God has provided for the advancement of His will. This means growing in repentance and holiness. This means becoming more like Yeshua in our lives and removing the fleshly things that we once desired. Bearing fruit also means living in obedience to His words, letting His words transform us and the way we live our lives. Bearing fruit also means affecting those around us by giving testimony to the power of God through our lives and through our verbal testimony of His Salvation. If we are not allowing His Spirit to use us in these ways, then haven’t we hindered His will and become fruitless dead-ends to the vine?
Instead of being a useless branch, destined to be cut off, repent today and bear fruit through His Spirit. Let God guide you to live His will alone and allow Him to use you in every capacity that He has enabled you, not only for your own sanctification, but also for the good kingdom works that He has prepared for you to do.
Matthew 25:14-30
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org