vstar

Hi,

I do not understand with the parable of the talents in Matthew 25: 14-28, especially when the master was scolding the servant with only one talent.

As far as I know, the master represents God and we are the servants. How come the master said such thing like this : ''You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed?" .

What does it mean?
Thanks.

violet

Banarenth

From that line alone, it seems that the servant expected something miraculous to happen if he did nothing at all. Kinda like my friend that turned in a test paper blank and prayed that God would fill in the answers for him.

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Boanerges

It would seem as though the Master gave him a gift and being an unmotivated person lacking faith in himself and those gifts he sat around doing nothing. His fear of the Master was apparent and fear is always the opposite of faith.

Jasher

Jesus was speaking to those who followed him in his years of ministry. I think the parable is mostly about recognizing and siezing the opportunity to expand the Kingdom of God. It was unfolding right before their very eyes. It's about stepping out - taking risks - like the disciples did in that day (and not being lazy) To produce fruit in the Kingdom in the face of adversity.

Again it reflects on the leadership of Israel, who were not producing any fruit. It was they who sat on the sidelines and criticized and nit picked everything that Jesus, his disciples, and the Apostles were doing in Israel. They could not see the hour of their visitation - they did not recognize the opportunities that God had set before them. Their abilities were not applied to the Kingdom and thus they were totally unfruitful - like the servant who hid his money.

God requires that we all produce fruit. When we do, he will prune us so we will even produce more. A single talent of Gold was about fifteen years wages for a laborer - so the parable is speaking about a lot of money. The talent is equivalent to our time, effort, and abilities however how small or great. The great master took that which the unproductive servants had away from them and gave it to those who were producing an increase. It kind of goes along with the following verse...

MT 21:43 "Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. (Spoken to the Leaders)

How Great He Is

A gift given from the Master.

Immediately comes to mind a little song sung in Sunday school.

"This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine..."


Be A Berean

Steve

Boanerges

HGHI you have me humming that song!

Dusty

All excellant answers. I also think that Jesus wanted to teach his disciples to be ready for His return. He wants His followers to be busy in service for Him and in the sharing of the good news of the gospel right up until the time of His return. Watchfulness and active service go hand in hand.

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Trials prove a Christian

Love confirms a Christian

But death crowns a Christian

Humble_Servant

I think Jesus was warning his disciples... those who do not persevere will not be saved.

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"the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation"
2 Peter 3:15

A brother in Christ

the OT Jews can earn a better degree of salavation for during the 1000 yr reign of Christ

those Jews who do not watch for the 2nd coming will deny Him are connected to Matt 7:21-23 = Matt 25:30

NT christians that are raptured before the Great Tribulation all recieve equal salvation

difference .... one judged by grace the other law

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2 tim 2:1 Thou therefore, my son, be impowered by the grace that is in Christ Jesus.