Parable of the Talents

thumb|The Parable of the Ten Talents by A.N. Mironov The Parable of the Talents (also the Parable of the Minas) is one of the parables of Jesus. Although the basic theme of each of these parables is essentially the same, the differences between the parables in the Gospel of Matthew and in the Gospel of Luke are sufficient to indicate that the parables are not derived from the same source. In Matthew, the opening words link the parable to the preceding Parable of the Ten Virgins, which refers to the Kingdom of Heaven.The version in Luke is also called the Parable of the Pounds. Quotes about Bible Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.“After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. :The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more. [...]“His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.“‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ Gospel of Matthew 25:14-20;26-30 NIV. While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. He said: “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’“But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king.’“He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it.“The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’“‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’ [...]“Then he said to those standing by, ‘Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.’“‘Sir,’ they said, ‘he already has ten!’“He replied, ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away. But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me.’” Gospel of Luke 19:11-17;24-27 NIV. Others Consider—We are bornNot with purpose,But with potential. Octavia Butler, Parable of the Talents (1998), Chapter 1 (p. 1) The gospel of St. Matthew told of the angry Jesus driving the merchants and money-changers out of the temple, knocking over the tables of the money-changers and spilling their coins on the floor. Jesus was not opposed to capitalism and the profit motive, so long as economic activities were carried on outside the temple. In the parable of the talents, he praises the servant who used his master's money to make a profitable investment, and condemns the servant who was too timid to invest. But he draws a clear line at the temple door. Inside the temple, the ground belongs to God and profit-making must stop. Freeman Dyson, Progress In Religion (2000) This man, who distributes his goods among his servants according to their abilities, knows and observes his servants from within. His departure – if that man is Christ – is the postponement of the time of his return. His servants remain in the country, with an idea of what they must do. They know their master, they know that if he has entrusted something to them, it is because he trusts their human energies, their reason and their ability to put all this to good use in his service. The servants must not underestimate their abilities by setting themselves limits “a priori” or by being satisfied with mediocre results. While their master is absent, they must work with his goods as if they were their own; his interests must coincide with theirs. Adrienne von Speyr, Le parabole del Signore (Gleichnisse des Herrn, 1966), translation into Italian by Giuseppe Reguzzoni, Jaca Book, Milano, 2008, p. 113. ISBN 978-88-16-30459-8. This country owes an enormous amount to Wesley, who was of course a High Tory [Mrs Thatcher was a Methodist by upbringing]. He inculcated the work ethic, and duty. You worked hard, you got on by the result of your own efforts: then, as you prospered, it was your duty to help others to prosper also. The essence of Methodist is in Matthew 24 – the Parable of the Talents. You have a duty to make what you can out of your talents, and to assist others. Margaret Thatcher, interview for The Sunday Telegraph (26 June 1987) And all men were brothers — sinners alike and beloved sons alike of this divine father.' In the parable of the Good Samaritan Jesus cast scorn upon that natural tendency we all obey, to glorify our own people and to minimize the righteousness of other creeds and other races. In the parable of the labourers he thrust aside the obstinate claim of the Jews to have a sort of first mortgage upon God. All whom God takes into the kingdom, he taught, God serves alike; there is no distinction in his treatment, because there is no measure to his bounty. From all, moreover, as the parable of the buried talent witnesses, and as the incident of the widow's mite enforces, he demands the utmost. There are no privileges, no rebates, and no excuses in the Kingdom of Heaven. H. G. Wells, in The Outline of History'' (1920), Ch. 28 External links Parable of the Talents Category:Parables of Jesus