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The Parable of the Talents, Matthew 25:14-30

Matthew 25:14-30

This is not a story about exchanging money and the proper way in which to invest money that has been entrusted to our care (though I suppose that on the surface we could extract that lesson), but rather this is a story of being teachable and acting on the teachings that one has received. A footnote on a similar verse found in Matthew 13:12 reveals the essence of this parable:
"For whosoever receiveth, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance; but whosoever continueth not to receive, from him shall be taken away even that he hath." (Joseph Smith Translation - Matthew 13:10-11)
Or in other words, he that receives the Word of God and acts upon it, he will be blessed to receive more of the word of God, which is also God's enabling power to do more good. But if we will not receive the words of Christ when he would give them to us, we shall loose even that which we have received.

There is a Spirit that is familiar to me as I read these passages of scripture that brings me back to the end of my mission and the service rendered in that last area of my mission. In any other setting, I would have associated it with the geographic region, but no, it is not so. There is something about what I was doing in Grecia as a missionary and as a branch president, that has to do with this passage of scripture as it applies to me today.

I have watched the bible video for this passage of scriptures several more time today with the understanding that he is not talking about talents, but rather truth in differing measures. It is noteworthy that the Savior points out that the unprofitable servant was fearful and consequently, the servant buried the talent or, that is, the word of God.

What made the Lord to declare the servant to be wicked and slothful was that the servant who should have done something with what was given him, did nothing, paralyzed because of fear. The servant was afraid of his Lord's high expectations. So he did nothing.

Clearly, the Lord expects us to act upon truth when we receive it. Put it into practice before men that they may see our willingness to follow the word of God. This is powerful truth.

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