Skip to main content

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.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Let Your Light So Shine," Matthew 5:3-16

Matthew 5:3-16 These verses are ringing out in my ears this morning as a cry for repentance. Alma 60:23 - "...Remember that God has said that the inward vessel shall be cleansed first, and then shall the outer vessel be cleansed also." Revisiting these brief statements of hope, I paused on "Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted." The Savior doesn't offer much explanation on how this would happen or why or anything of the sort. But then I cross referenced footnotes until I arrived at Isaiah 60:20 . I went back and read the entire chapter. Doing so, it becomes clearly evident that those who ever had cause to mourn, will -- in some great future day-- never have cause to mourn again. Understanding this also gives pause to lessen the pains of present challenges. -------- This brings us to consider one of the great oxymorons of  Christ's teachings: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and gl
Post a Comment
Read more

"For In Such an Hour as Ye Think Not," Matthew 24:36-51

Matthew 24:36-51 , At the end of this chapter, the Savior is discoursing on the time of his Second Coming. This proceeds the three parables about the end of times: the virgins, the talents, and the sheep and goats. In JST-Matthew 1:39-40 , it talks of how the elect will see the signs of his coming, but that ultimately, no one knows when that day shall come except that we are told that it will come when we do not expect to see it. It will be "business as usual" until the day of His Coming. That is humbling because today is a day of "business as usual." And so what Christ is saying is that it will be a day, just like today, when He comes again.  Vs. 48 sums up the whole of it: "Therefore be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of Man cometh."
Post a Comment
Read more

"A Sower Went Forth to Sow," Matthew 13:1-23

Matthew 13:1-23 The parable of the sower as taught in these verses I feel is fairly well known. What follows the Savior's initial instructions however is notably decisive in explaining the difference between the true disciples of Christ, and those who will casually pass by to listen, but with no intent to act on what is heard. There is much to study here, but what is curious about this passage is that I find there are distinct parallels between these fundamental teachings of Christ, and in the early recorded scriptural documents in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For example, compare Matthew 13:11 with Doctrine and Covenants 6:11-12
Post a Comment
Read more