Matthew 25:14-30

Matthew 25:14-30 The parable of the talents (silver pieces)

This parable seems unrelated to the previous parables about being ready, but it is not unrelated.  Jesus begins this story with the words: “For it is as if . . .” (NRSV) or “It will be as when . . .” (NABRE).  What is the “it” to which he is comparing this story?  The “it” is what he has just been talking about – the day when the Son of Man returns.

A man wealthy enough to have slaves or servants is going on a journey.  What does he do before he leaves?

The Greek word “talent” was originally used to describe a certain amount of weight, and then it developed a meaning as an amount of money when rulers made “coins” of gold or silver weighing that much.  A talent was huge – usually at least 60 pounds (or 27 kilograms) and often more, depending on where and when it was used.

The value of a single silver talent was roughly equal to the value of 6,000 days’ wages for a common laborer or soldier, so it was worth what a laborer could earn in almost 20 years of work.

• The first man receives 5 talents.  In today’s dollars, in the United States that would be worth somewhere between $1.4 million and $3 million (as of 2025, considering the minimum wage in various jurisdictions).

• The second man receives 2 talents, which would be worth between $550,000 and $1.2 million.

• The third man receives one talent, the equivalent of between $275,000 and $600,000.

Them man is giving them large amounts of money.  What do you think the man expects his servants to do with the money he gives them?

In a parable, the different elements of the story stand for different things.  In this story, the master stands for who?  The servants stand for who?

After a long while, the master returns.  It is this delay and eventual return that links this parable to the two preceding parables about being ready.  How does this parable relate to the previous parables?  What does Jesus expect us to be doing while we wait and remain prepared for his return?

Throughout Christian history, Christians have seen an additional point in this parable.  For each of us, what does the day of accounting stand for, when the master comes and settles accounts with the servants?

This parable illustrates the day when we come before God in judgment – perhaps at the end of the world as we know it but certainly at the end of our lives when we die.  There will be an accounting of our lives.

A “talent” is literally a huge, block of silver weighing 60 pounds or more, but Jesus is speaking metaphorically about more than just money.  What do the “talents” stand for?  What are the things God has given us that he expects us to put to good use?

Our skills and abilities, our money, our time, our character traits, our family background, our education and knowledge, our creativity, our social skills – the list can go on and on.  Anything God has given to you is something for which you should expect God to eventually ask you to give an accounting of what you did with it.  Interestingly, the English word “talent,” which means an ability, came from the Greek word in this parable, as the parable was interpreted in terms of people’s abilities.

Notice that the man gives the servants different amounts of talents, according to their abilities (25:15).  What does this tell you about God’s work among us in our lives?

When our translations of the Bible fail to translate the value of a talent into our language, we tend to think it is talking about something small: we might think that 5 talents is like 5 small coins.  But Jesus is implying that the “talents” God has given to us are of great value – like a million dollars in money or a large amount for other kinds of talents.

Jesus is implying that God has given different people huge or valuable abilities in different areas.  You are like a millionaire in some aspects of your life.  Not necessarily in money, but you are at the million level in some ability or resource, or in some character trait, or in the family background you grew up in, or in your education or knowledge, or your creativity, or your social skills or empathy, or your organizational or managerial skills, or in whatever your special gifts are.  Jesus is saying that God has given you a lot of something that can be used for his purposes!  How does that make you feel?

What are some of the things God has endowed you with that you can use to “make more”?

When he tells you to “make more” with what you have been given, what does “more” mean?  What does it look like in your particular case?  When you use what God has given to you, what is the more that you can make with your gifts from God?

If you are exploring this passage with a small group and you know each other, you can try to answer this: What are some of the ways you see other members of your group using what God has given to them to make good things happen that might not happen without them?

In verse 21, the master says, “Well done.”  How do you think that makes the servant feel?  How would it feel to you to have God say that to you?

In verse 21, the productive servant gets three affirmations from Jesus.  Find each one.

• How does the master describe the servant’s character?

• What does the master say the servant will receive?

• What does the master say the servant will enjoy?

He receives praise for being “good” and either “trustworthy” (NRSV) or “faithful” (NABRE).  He will receive more opportunities to serve God.  And he is invited to share in his master’s joy.

How do these rewards apply to us?  The good servants receive three rewards: praise from God, more opportunities to serve God, and the chance to enter into the joy of God.  Is there one of these rewards that you would find particularly satisfying at the end of your life?  Which one do you especially look forward to?

Note that the second servant receives the same three rewards as the second servant.  What does this tell us about people with only mid-level abilities?

People with mid-level talents receive the same rewards.  God just asks for your best with what you have been given, whatever that is.

When the master returns, why does the third servant have only what he was originally given?

Why does the master castigate him?

The third servant may represent the person who legitimately has less talent or opportunity.  What do you think the master hoped that servant would do with his smaller amount of talent?

The third servant fears the master.  He does not have the kind of relationship with the master that makes him comfortable taking a risk to do something with what the master has given to him.  Are there times when fear might hold you back from using what you have been given?  Explain.

What does the master do in response to the third servant’s failure to do anything with what he has been given?

How does the master describe the third servant in verses 26 and 30?

The master calls him wicked, lazy, and either “worthless” (NRSV) or “useless” (NABRE).

The master’s response indicates that God expects something from us.  What does God expect from us?

What does the fact that different servants receive different amounts of talents say to us today?

What does this passage say to you about your own life?  Is there something you need to give more attention to?  If so, what?  How would you like to respond to this parable?

Take a step back and consider this:

Sometimes people have talents that are hidden – maybe that people aren’t even aware of – until someone else calls them forth by speaking a word of encouragement, by naming a talent that has previously not been noticed, by recognizing what others have missed, or by providing an opportunity for leadership or service.

The people who call forth others’ gifts – the “encouragers” – play a valuable role in our lives and a crucial role in the kingdom of God.  They help people become more fully what they were meant to be.

Who has encouraged you to use your talents?

What are some of the things “encouragers” do that draw forth other people’s talents?

What would you say is the key to being the kind of person about whom others say, “They are always so encouraging.  I had the courage to use my gifts because of them”?

How can you be an encourager in your everyday life?  How can you, by your words and actions, encourage others to use their talents more fully and effectively?

Who is someone you can be more encouraging for, right now in your life?