Matthew 25:14-30
14 “For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; 15 to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.
16 The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. 17 In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. 18 But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
19 After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. 20 Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’
22 And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’
24 Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’
26 But his master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents.
29 For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 30 As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Well Done, Good and Trustworthy Servant!
Another parable is proposed to us this Sunday, helping us to meditate upon the quality of our trust in God, and upon our response to His grace that rests upon us.
Jesus always uses real and understandable elements in His teaching, helping His listeners to comprehend what He speaks about. He simplifies complicated things, and never complicates simple things.
This parable seems to deal with financial investments, but once correctly understood, it leads to the spiritual and moral magnitude of our response to God's blessings in our lives.
In Jesus' time, 1.5 talents was one year's wages for a good worker. Before departing on a journey, the master entrusted to each of his three chosen servants a fortune - without putting any instructions, conditions or restrictions upon it. You have it, invest it!
Returning home, he calls upon his servants to report about how each of them has used his money. He doesn't ask where or when they invested, just about the fruits of their response to his trust.
Two of them are pleased to see the master back and to report joyfully about their endeavors. The master is equally pleased, and even more, he praises them for their trust and investment, and rewards them with greater giving.
The third servant returns the talent he was given. He has no trust in his master. Out of our experience, we know that trust is difficult to gain, but easy to lose. Loss of trust means the breaking of a keen relationship with a shared future. The master didn't lose his money, but sadly, his servant.
The talents we are endowed with are the gifts of the Holy Spirit. In I Corinthians 12:8-10, St. Paul refers to some of them, "wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, discernment." We can add more, health, wealth and many others. Each of us is entrusted with one or more talents.
How do we use them?
Do we remember that we are accountable to God for what we have received?
Do we keep trust/integrity, using them for God's glory and human benefit, or do we reserve these gifts exclusively for ourselves and our own benefit?
This Sunday, we are reminded of God's love and trust for each human being. Let us thank the Lord for His trust, gifts and rewards. When we invest our unique tool kit for His glory, He says "Well done, my good and trustworthy servant!"