The Servants with the Talents

A man going on a journey entrusted his property to his servants – five talents, two, and one, “to each according to his ability.” A talent was roughly twenty years of a laborer’s wages: even the least-trusted servant held a fortune. The first two “went at once and traded,” doubling their trusts; the third “dug in the ground and hid his master’s money” (Matthew 25:14-18).

“After a long time” – the parable’s quiet warning about the length of the wait – the master returned to settle accounts. The two traders received identical commendations, though their sums differed: “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” The third servant led with his theology: “Master, I knew you to be a hard man… so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground.” His picture of the master produced his paralysis; fear buried what faith would have invested. The master judged him out of his own mouth – even at minimum, the bank paid interest – and the fortune went to the ten-talent man (Matthew 25:19-30).

The parable’s mathematics unsettle every comfortable reading: in the kingdom, safety-first is the losing strategy, unequal gifts earn equal praise when equally ventured, and the unused gift is not preserved but forfeited. What the Master gives, he gives to be risked in his service.

In the New Testament

• The parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30)
• Luke’s companion: the ten minas (Luke 19:11-27)