The Parable of the Talents is one of the famous parables in the Bible. It teaches a lot about the gifts God gave to us which include money, skills and talents. I posted the passage below and described the essential points that I believe can guide us in our journey called life.
Matthew 25:14-30
For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. “To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey.
“Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents. “In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more. “But he who received the one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
“Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. “The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents.’ “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’
“Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, ‘Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more talents.’ “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’
“And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. ‘And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’ “But his master answered and said to him, ‘You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed. ‘Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest. ‘Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’
“For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. “Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Money Lesson 1: Take calculated risks. I contemplated on the parable and it implies that we can take some risks on the skills, talent or money that we have. We just need to calculate the things incorporated with the risks. How can we ensure that risks are considered and mitigated? The answer is that we need to educate and equip ourselves with the downside of the risks we will be taking. For money and finances, we need to have a proper financial training / coaching. For our skills and talents, we need to expose ourselves for opportunities and enhancements related to our core values. Through proper education, the fear of making our money grow or improving our skills and talents will be diminished.
Money Lesson 2: Do not compare yourself with others. All of us are given different core gifts that we can utilize and harness according to our real purpose in this world. I think that we are given this free will to find and look for that gifts and improve them for the betterment of our lives and of the people around us. Comparing ourselves with others will just result to envy and might lead to misunderstanding. We need to seek for the things that we love to do. I once learned from a great personal development expert the following quote
“Look for the things that you love to do and you will not work any single day of your life.”
Money Lesson 3: Be a Good Steward of Money. We are asked to properly use what are entrusted to us. The reason of becoming rich is not to have all the things we want but to help and become a blessing to others. Money is not good nor bad, it only magnifies what is already there. If we instill love, we magnify that love because we can expressively do that through the resources that we have. If we instill hatred, we magnify that hatred through fighting over money or selfishly securing ourselves and keeping the money within us.
Indeed, the passage gives us ideas on how to deal with the money, skills and talents that God gave to us. Enhance these gifts, bless others and make a difference.
What other lessons can you find from the Parable of the Talents? Share your thoughts and meet us in the comments.
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