Understanding the Red Letters Part 16
The next parable in Matthew chapter 25 (vs 14-30) is often called the parable of the talents. And the use of the word “talent” in most Bible translations is a bit unfortunate. The “talent” referred to in the story is simply an amount of money. But it is nearly impossible to read the passage and not see it as God giving us various talents, giftedness, and abilities. And it becomes a parable about how we use those abilities to serve Him. It has nothing to do with that. So let’s set that aside, and stick with amounts of money. In the interest of space, here is a quick summary of the story.
A man is about to go on a journey. He calls his servant and gives him $5000 to invest. To another servant, he gives $2000. And to his third servant, he gives $1000. Upon the master’s return, servants one and two have doubled the master’s money and are rewarded. Servant three hid the money and returns the original $1000 to his master.
The gist of the last servant’s excuse for not investing the money was, “I know you are hard to please so I didn’t want to take any chances with the money. So I hid it away and here it is safe and sound.” The master is furious with the last servant. The parable ends with this punishment doled out to servant number three, “And cast out this worthless servant into the outer darkness; in that place there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 25:30).
This sounds terrifyingly bad for the $1000 servant. What are we to make of his punishment? And what about the symbolism of who these servants represent? Is this a picture of three Jesus followers given different amounts to manage? Is a big punishment waiting for you if you do not make enough use of what God has given you? And how do you know if you have done enough?
Like the story of the ten virgins, I believe this parable is talking about our salvation. And the key to this understanding is to start at the end of the parable, verse 30, and work backward. Similar to the “I never knew you” of the ten virgin story, what appears to be the punishment of hell in this story signifies that servant three is not a believer. We have it clearly throughout the rest of the gospels that no believer can somehow land in hell because they didn’t live up to a standard.
The iron clad promise from Jesus of heaven and eternal life is based on one thing as far as our part goes; did we believe His gospel message? If we did, then eternal life in heaven is ours. Going to hell is never based on our works. It is the destination for those who refuse to believe the gospel. So, if we start with that knowledge and see servant three as an unbeliever since his destiny is hell, what are we to make of this parable and the other servants?
The other servants are the saved. The gospel message has been offered to us in various ways. Some have more opportunities to hear and receive the gospel. In this fallen world, some have more barriers to hearing and believing the gospel message. I think that is what is meant by the various amounts of money given.
The first two servants took what they received – the opportunity to hear and receive the gospel – and did exactly that; they believed. “Investing” was receiving and believing the gospel. Servant three “buried” the message. Servant three rejected the gospel. Servant three represents the lost who never believe.
I don’t believe that this is a story from Jesus to scare us into working harder. These parables in Matthew chapter 25 are in the context of being ready for His return. If you have believed the gospel message of Jesus Christ, you are ready for His return. Your lamp is full of oil and your investment has produced the desired result – you believe the gospel. You are ready for the master to come for us.