Matthew 25:14-30
It's the parable of the talents... I read it this morning, and I want to know how others interpret it, since Jesus did not explain this one like He did with the parable of the sower. What do the talents represent? life? or spiritual gifts? And the hidden talent would be... like an attitude of a person who's wrapped up in themself? and the last servant would be a selfish Christian? it cant be unbeliever, for he says 'i knew you' or something like that. And what about the faithful servants? they would be....? and then, put in charge of .. ? im just extremely curious. Thanks.
2007-09-29 05:54:41 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
**JC is the man**
found it, read it.. but can u give me Bible verses you get that from? feel free to correct me, i try to take criticism to my advantage, as long as you back it up with a Bible verse.
2007-09-29 06:09:00 · update #1
Sister~
Awesome question. Made me examine it again.
The actual word "talent" back then was a substantial amount of currency.
I believe it is not an accident that He chose talent instead of shekel or silver...
We are all designed with something magnificent in us that no one else can do the way we can when we allow Him to mold us into the artisan of that "talent".
The one who buries it is denying and even afraid of the gift and therefore has nothing more than he started with to give to his master.
If we take what we are given and allow God to work through us and guide us- our talent will be multiplied and therefore glorify our Master.
I always ask God to show me what He needs me to receive from His Word before I begin. It is a beautiful book and I don't want to miss a thing.
I'm certain, everyone familiar with this parable will have a different perspective on it- that's part of the beauty of God.
God bless. Love you!
2007-09-29 06:08:43 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is a good one. I had to go look it up. The parable has many applications. That is, it can be seen as applying to life in general, spiritual gifts, etc. But I think it was meant, at the time it was told, to the people Jesus was speaking to as his view of the leadership of Israel then. And it was teaching to the people he was teaching of what he was going to expect of them. Israel was that kingdom of God entrusted to servants up to the day Jesus came. And even during that time it had leaders who's jobs still were to keep track of people and assets of the King. I think the people listening were all of the mind set that things should grow. They were then, and still are, a people impressed with the mandate that marriage should create families-with children. Also, it was basically an agricultural society. Even the priesthood depended on the farmers being productive. So, what are you in charge of in your life? Your life? Then, for you it means to take care you grow your life well, and productively. Do you have spiritual gifts? Same thing. Do not waste them instead. Is the servant who displeased the Master a selfish Christian. Yes. But he is more than just Christians. Could it be an unbeliever even though it says the man was someone the Master knew? Yup. God knows exactly wno everyone is. He certainly knew the Jewish people who were the first ones the kingdom Jesus came to had been entrusted to. But it can certainly be seen from the perspective of only involving those of us who know and are known personally by Jesus. I think that last servant got in trouble for being too fearful. It is only one God whom we should be afraid of. Not God and a bunch of other stuff too. Jesus took breaks from the job. He sort of hid out occasionally from the crowds. But he never just let it go. Always he was building, pointing to progress.
2007-09-29 06:21:01 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The meaning of this Parable is simply Be Good Stewards.
Whether that be of money, talents, time, family.
BTW, talents does not refer to a "good ability" but rather to a form of money that existed in the 1st century.
And also there was an answer that you posted that I responded to you in my answer, so check your back answers and see. It has to do with Christians loving people.
***UPDATE***
The Two major passages I was thinking of when I added that comment was Matthew 5:43-48 and Matthew 22:37-39. There are others as well. But these will back up what I said very clearly I believe.
2007-09-29 06:02:48 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The main point of this parable is that our readiness for Jesus’ return is determined by our stewardship of the resources that He has given us. A lot of people think that "readiness" for Jesus’ return is a rather mystical/spiritual thing. It really isn’t - it is a matter of being about our business of living for the Lord. We must ask ourselves: what have we done with our knowledge? Our time? Our money? Our abilities? We show what we know about our master's heart by what we do in our day to day lives with what has been given to us.
Because the last servant was 'wicked and lazy', the third servant demonstrated that he was not a true servant of his master at all. The sins of omission may ultimately be more dangerous than the sins of commission.
2007-09-29 06:12:09 · answer #4 · answered by thundercatt9 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A Talent was a form of currency in 1st century Palestine. It was $1,000 in silver content, much more in buying power.
Source: New Testament Greek Dictionary.
The Bible makes it clear that believers will give an account of their lives and what they did with the spiritual gifts and opportunities given to them by the Lord(see 1st Corinthians 3). Salvation is a gift given to us when we place our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His shed blood as payment for our sins. However, everyone won't experience Heaven in exactly the same way. Yes, part of the rewards in Heaven are the mansions(John 14), but the rewards or loss of rewards has much more to do with position, responsibilities, and priviliges.
Imagine that you and I were both given free tickets to a concert. However, we were both told that if we would only go down to the box office the morning of the show we could upgrade our free ticket to a better seat. You took the time and put forth the effort to upgrade your ticket. I did not. I was lazy. I was satisfied with just getting in. You had a front row seat. I had my free ticket in the nose-bleed section.
After the show you and I met up outside the arena. You say, "Wow! Wasn't that a great show!" And I say, "yea, it sure was." Well, in one sense you and I saw the same show. But in another very real sense you and I did not see the same show though we were in the same place. There is no way that I , sitting in the nose-bleed section could experience and enjoy the show in the exact same way you did seeing it from the front row. I believe this is a fairly good illustration of what it's going to be like in Heaven for Christians who served and failed to serve the Lord during their stay on earth.
Don't be content with just getting in. Yes, it's certainly better than the alternative, but there will those who reign with Christ. I want to be one of those, and I want you to be one as well!
2007-09-29 11:45:19 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
A talent has to do with money. A talent was worth 20 years wages.
God assigns us all with work to do after we are saved. Not works for salvation. What we do with what God has given us is up to us. We all are called to witness, so are doing that. Whats your talent and what are you doing with it.
2007-09-29 06:12:47 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Talents can represent anything you have received from God that can be useful for service. It can be a spiritual gift or an aptitude.
2007-09-29 06:09:16 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would assume that your talents are any gift: money time, power, musical talent, or whatever that God has blessed you with.
I would say that the last servant is someone how is selfish. A failure to help others is a sin of omission.
2007-09-29 05:59:58 · answer #8 · answered by Randy G 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
In my personal opinion I feel it means the Revelations that you personally get through the Holy Spirit while reading or meditating on God's word. But I also feel that you should only share those with other Christians.
Take care and may God bless you spiritually.
2007-09-29 05:59:31 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
Basically, God doesn't want us to keep things for ourselves. He blesses us and gives us gifts so that we can share those gifts and be a blessing to others. He wants us to be happy and enjoy things, but He does not want us to be selfish with what we have.
2007-09-29 05:58:41 · answer #10 · answered by Consuming Fire 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋