Matthew 25

Parable of the talents

14 "Because the kingdom is also like a man about to go on a long journey, who called his own servants and entrusted his possessions to them. 15 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 the journey. 16 So the one who received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 So also the one who received the two gained another two as well. 18 But he who received the one went off and dug in the ground and hid his lord’s silver.

19 "Then, after a long time, the lord of those servants comes and settles accounts with them.

20 "So the one who had received the five talents approached and brought five more talents saying, ‘Lord, you entrusted five talents to me; see, I gained five more talents besides them!’ 21 His lord said to him: ‘Super, you good and faithful servant! You were faithful over a few things, I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 22 So the one who had received the two talents also approached and said, ‘Lord, you entrusted two talents to me; see, I gained two more talents besides them!’ 23 His lord said to him: ‘Super, you good and faithful servant! You were faithful over a few things, I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’*The two-talent man was just as faithful as the first one—he also doubled the principal—so he gets the same commendation. We are judged on the basis of what we do with our potential.

24 "Then he who had received the one talent also approached and said: ‘Lord, I knew that you are a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you did not scatter. 25 And being afraid I went off and hid your talent in the ground; here, take what is yours.’*Evidently the third man did not identify with his lord’s interests. He served out of fear or necessity, but his heart wasn’t in it. He has a negative opinion of his lord and is unrepentant: "here, take what is yours". He winds up in hell. Are there not many ‘Christians’ today who have a low opinion of God? Who feel that He is hard, unfair, unjust—and who ‘serve’ out of fear or a sense of obligation? If you believe into Jesus you identify with Him. 26 So in answer his lord said to him: ‘You wicked and lazy servant! You knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I did not scatter.*Observe that the owner did not deny the description. The first two servants identified with the owner’s interests anyway. 27 Therefore you were obligated to deposit my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received what is mine with interest. 28 Therefore, take the talent away from him and give it to the one having the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but the one who does not have, even what he thinks that he has*I follow the best line of transmission, with 30% of the Greek manuscripts, in reading "he thinks that he has", rather than ‘he has’ (as in most versions). will be taken away from him.*Use it or lose it! 30 And throw out the useless servant,*To be "useless" is not a valid option. We are here for a purpose, to serve, to be useful. into the darkness farthest out!’ There, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.