A favourite parable

Geoff parsons

Thank goodness I don't have to pick my favourite Parable for this article.  Because I really wouldn't know which one to choose out of the large number of parables that Jesus told.  It would be as difficult as choosing your favourite film or T.V. Comedy show!  The Outlaw Josey Wales or The Searchers, Schindlers List or The Longest Day?  How could you pick a winner between Dinner Ladies, Porridge, Whatever happened to the likely lads or The Vicar of Dibley? 

I love the stories of The Good Samaritan and The Lost Sheep and Lost Coin, and am always encouraged by the Parable of the Prodigal Son.  The one parable that really resonated with me early on in my Christian life was the Parable of the Talents, which can be found in Chapter 25 of Matthew's Gospel. 

“Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them.  To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability.  The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more.  So also, the one with the two talents gained two more.” 

Now the word ‘talent’ in this passage relates to money, but I don't think we change the meaning of the story if we think of the word as we would know it today.  A talent is an inborn or developed gift that people have and exhibit in their lives.  We all know people who are talented musicians, artists, or athletes for example.  It doesn't mean that they don't have to practise regularly;  it just means they have a natural aptitude for their chosen field. 

After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.  The man who had received the five talents brought the other five.  “Master, he said, you entrusted me with five talents.  See, I have gained five more”.  His master replied, “Well done good and faithful servant.  You have been faithful with a few things;  I will put you in charge of many things.”  The man with the two talents also came.  “Master, he said, you entrusted me with two talents;  see, I have gained two more.”  His master replied, “Well done good and faithful servant.  You have been faithful with a few things;  I will put you in charge of many things.” 

How interesting that the Master complimented the two servants using exactly the same words - “Well done good and faithful servant”- when one gave back ten talents and the other gave back four.  Now ten is a lot more than four, but we could argue that they achieved the same, as one was given five and doubled it and one was given two and doubled it.  And that is what I found encouraging about this parable.  The Master didn't expect the man with two talents to give back ten.  He just wanted him to use what he had been given. 

So if, like me, you seem to be a little short on the natural talent register, don't be discouraged. What God expects from us is in direct proportion to what He has given us.  He just wants us to use what he has given us and fulfil what He hoped we would achieve.  I haven't forgotten about the servant who was given just one talent and instead of using it, decided to bury it.  I didn't want to focus on him as I didn't want any of us to follow his example.  Especially as the parable finishes with the words, “And throw that worthless servant outside into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth”.  We can't say we haven't been warned!   

-Geoff Parsons