Sometimes when we study the Scriptures, we tend to interpret them through our own carnal colored glasses, blurring the spiritual view. These are the times when we need to remind ourselves that as Jesus is not of this world, neither are His disciples. A heavenly perspective always sharpens our focus when our vision needs healing. So, if you think Jesus’ Parable of the Talents is about earthly stewardship, money management and sound business practices, let’s look at this parable again from another perspective.

For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered to them his goods (Matthew 25:14).

The man travelling is Jesus. The far country is heaven. After Jesus’ resurrection He ascended to His Father in heaven. The goods He left with His servants represents the Gospel.

And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several (particular, unique) ability; and straightway took his journey (verse 15).

The money in this instance represents ministries. The purpose of those ministries is to fulfill the Lord’s purposes and expand His kingdom by sharing the Gospel, discipling and serving others. Each amount is given in proportion to the individual’s ability to use them.

Then he that received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them another five talents (verse 16).

The talents, which is a term used here to designate an amount of money, is doubled. This individual used the inherent gifts he was born with to expand God’s kingdom.

And likewise he that had received two, he also gained another two (verse 17).

Even though this second individual had not been given as much as the first, he achieved the same results with what he had and his money was doubled as well. In other words, even though his ministry was smaller than the other servant, it was equally fruitful in the Lord’s eyes.

But he that had received one went and dug in the earth, and hid his lord’s money (verse 18).

This servant, was employed by his master (God) and was expected to do something with his talent to expand his master’s kingdom, but did nothing out of fear. He hid what he had been given in the ground. This means, he spent his life working for earthly goals at the neglect of the spiritual.

After a long time the Lord of those servants came, and reckoned with them (verse 19).

This verse is a reference to the Lord’s judgment seat. We all must stand before the Lord to give an account of what we have done in this life (Romans 14:10).

And so he that received five talents came and brought another five talents, saying, “Lord, you delivered to me five talents: behold I have gained beside them five talents more” (verse 20).

It sounds like this servant was quite pleased with the results of his efforts to help expand God’s kingdom. There is nothing more satisfying than winning a soul for Jesus.

His lord said to him, “Well done, you good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: you enter into the joy of your lord” (verse 21).

This is what every believer should want to hear the Lord say, “Well done.” The wise servants recognize that we are expected to work for the kingdom during our lifetimes. He is watching us, testing us to see who will qualify to rule and reign with Him at His return. He is basically selecting us for certain leadership positions during His millennial reign (Revelation 20:6). These rewards again are based on what we are able to achieve for Him now. He uses the word faithful to describe these productive servants. A faithful Christian serves.
     “The joy of the Lord” indicates a position of intimacy with God. In His presence is fullness of Joy (Psalm 16:11). Our rewards are spiritual. To be blessed by a continuous feeling of overwhelming joy is a gift beyond measure.

He also that received two talents came and said, “Lord, you delivered to me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them” (verse 22).

Again, even though this servant had been given a smaller amount he achieved the same results as the first servant. He used what he had been given to the best of his abilities and his money was doubled.

His lord said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter into the joy of your Lord” (verse 23).

This servant’s reward is exactly the same as the one who had a bigger ministry, but in the Lord’s eyes they were equal. Big ministry or little, it doesn’t matter, but faithfulness to the Lord’s desires does. Faithfulness, responding to the Holy Spirit’s leading is what makes a believer productive for the Lord. And that productivity is rewarded.

Then he which had received the one talent came and said, “Lord, I know you that you are a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered: (verse 24).

This servant had an understanding of his master’s character. God is loving but firm. He requires obedience to His word. There are risks with any endeavor for His work. We are shown that His servants will endure persecution for their efforts to evangelize. God does not promise protection in every circumstance, yet, He expects us to move forward for His sake in spite of the consequences. This hapless servant was afraid to move at all.

And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the earth: lo, there you have what is yours” (verse 25).

This servant had made no contribution to the Lord’s kingdom at all. His fear of launching out beyond his comfort zone immobilized his productivity. He wasn’t concerned about winning souls out of fear he would be ridiculed or persecuted. He was wrong.

His lord answered and said to him, “You wicked and slothful servant, you knew that I reap where I sowed not and gather where I have not scattered: (verse 26).

This servant knew his master would require him to do something with what he had been given. “He gathers where he has not sown.” I believe that this is a reference to mission fields that are barren of the seed of God’s word. He relies on His servants to spread His word in these areas, even though there are great risks involved. Apparently this unfruitful servant was aware of the needs and did nothing when he knew what his Lord expected of him.

You ought therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received my own with interest (verse 27).

We are judged according to our knowledge of what is required of us. This servant was fully aware of the Lord’s commission for all believers to share the gospel. If we can’t accomplish certain things physically, we can give ourselves to prayer. Anyone can hand out a tract and talk to people about the Lord in our daily lives. This servant was hiding his talents in the earth. He was focusing on earthy endeavors. If we can make money in earthly achievements, then the least we can do is contribute to the Lord’s bank. We can give our money to support missionaries and other ministries. This also contributes to expanding the Lord’s kingdom, earning Him “interest” - souls. Again, this servant did nothing, even though he had full knowledge of what was expected of him.

Take therefore the talent from him, and give it to him which has ten talents (verse 28).

This illustrates a spiritual principle of the Lord’s divine judgments. Those who have neglected their giftings will see them diminished. Those who have been faithful will see their efforts increase supernaturally.

For everyone that has shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that has not shall be taken away even that which he has (verse 29).

If one is lukewarm and not diligent in their relationship with the Lord, the prospect of falling away from the faith can become a dangerous reality. This refers us back to the Parable of the Ten Virgins. Those who permitted their lamps to go out, succumbed to the world’s deceptions and suffered the consequences.

And you cast out the unprofitable servant into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (verse 30).

This is the same judgment God awards to the disobedient servants described in Matthew 24, verse 48-51. Thus this Parable of the Talents is designed to add a bit more detail to those verses that conclude chapter twenty-four, which also serves as an introduction to twenty-five.
     The brilliant joy that is the reward of the faithful is contrasted to the reward of outer darkness, “the lower places,” signifying that the distance the unfaithful servant put between himself and the Lord in his lifetime, removed him farther and farther away from the light of that intimate joy. It’s a choice we all have to make. I think here we have to stop and thank the Lord for His warnings.

The spiritual condition of His people is the Lord’s utmost concern after the salvation of souls. He loves us too much to leave us where we want to be. As we have been shown by this Parable of the Talents, it is up to us to respond to His workings in our lives and the wise and faithful who do so, will not lose their reward.

Copyright 2019 by H. D. Shively

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