“And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.”-Matthew 25:25
Talent. In our modern day it can be correctly defined as a natural aptitude or skill set. However, in the book of Matthew chapter twenty five, it is proper to think of talent as a sum of money. This parable of the good and wicked servant(s) is not a lesson in finance, but instruction in righteousness and prudence.
The scripture in Matthew twenty five begins by telling us of the wise and foolish virgins. Then Jesus begins to teach on the good and wicked servants. He tells of the lord of the house giving five talents, two talents, and one talent to each of servants; then proceeding to take his journey to a far country. The first two doubled their lord's investment and the second simply kept it safe until the lord came back. When the lord returned he commended the first two and casted the last “wicked and slothful” servant out. The wise servants multiplied that which the lord gave them, and were “faithful over a few things”. They were faithful because they understood that their lord's business was trading for profit. They understood that in order to bring him profit from the money he gave them it must be put to use in the open market; and that risk was a necessary part of this use. They understood that the expectation was to multiply. Alternatively, the foolish servant was afraid. He valued the lord's initial investment more than his lord's expectations. Proving this by testifying “I knew” to the lord upon his return. He testified that he knew his lord's character, his lord’s business model, and how his wealth was created. He saw the other servants and their work. He understood that the talents were a symbol of both trust and expectation. He knew all this but his excuse was “I was afraid.” He was afraid to lose, so he lost everything. His principal object was maintenance so he went and hid his lord's money in the earth. Maintenance is far easier than multiplication. With this holy scripture and sacred lesson from Christ before our minds I ask: How might we apply this teaching to us? To those who would call themselves the servants of the Lord. Has not God bequeathed to us the Holy Spirit (by consequence all the benefits that come with it)? A precious investment we have been entrusted with. Its value far past the material riches of this world. If it can be correctly said that this is the initial investment (I believe it can), that God has given to his people a precious gift. What are we going to do with it? Christ gives us the answer in the same parable. The market with which to employ our investment is that which will glorify Christ. What does this mean in the practical sense? Jesus said: “I was hungry and ye gave me meat, thirsty and ye gave me drink.” The disciples, clearly confused, asked: “Whence saw we hungry, sick, etc.” Jesus then says: “when it is done to the least of these my brethren it is done unto me”. Herein is Christ glorified and served. Christ is glorified when the least of humanity is served, by the followers of the greatest human to ever walk this earth. When the “down and outer.” The “least, last and lost”; when they are brought into close connection with Christ; by showing the love of Christ. The same Lord that gave us the talent, gave us the instruction on where to put it to use. Can it be that the Lord is concerned with works of charity over works for profit? Yes. Is it scriptural to say that Christ cares more about man than money? Absolutely. The Lord’s business is the care of souls. Therefore the servants of the Lord should be employed in the same.
In clothing the naked, feeding the hungry we invest in souls. In housing the stranger, visiting the sick and imprisoned, we invest in souls. Should we do this in a temporal sense? Yes. In a spiritual sense? Yes. In every way we are to be serving, giving, and thereby investing. “Sow to the spirit.” We are instructed in another place. We do this so that we might multiply our Lord’s investment. That we might multiply the Lord’s business here on earth, and thereby have confidence at the day of Judgment. That we may be “rich in good works and glorify our Father which is in heaven.” Does this absolve us of preaching, teaching, exhorting, and the like? Of course not, it accompanies it. The whole of our investment, employed in the Lord’s mission, working together for the deliverance of souls and the glory of Christ.
