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14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag,[a] each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’
21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’
23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’
26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
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*a talent was worth about 20 years of a day laborer’s wage.
Summary of the Parable of the Talents
A master gives three servants different amounts of gold (talents) before leaving on a trip:
- Servant 1: Gets 5 bags → Invests them → Earns 5 more (total: 10).
- Servant 2: Gets 2 bags → Invests them → Earns 2 more (total: 4).
- Servant 3: Gets 1 bag → Buries it → Returns just 1.
When the master returns:
- He praises the first two: "Well done, good and faithful servant!"
- He scolds the third: "You wicked, lazy servant!" and takes his bag, giving it to the one with 10.
Key Lessons
- Use What You’re Given
- God (the master) gives everyone gifts (time, skills, money).
- Don’t waste them—grow them through effort and faith.
- Fear Leads to Failure
- The 3rd servant was afraid of failing, so he did nothing.
- But inaction is worse than trying and failing.
- Rewards for Faithfulness
- The master rewards effort, not just results.
- The servants with 5 and 2 bags both got the same praise.
- "To Those Who Have, More Will Be Given"
- This means: If you’re faithful with little, God will trust you with more.
The moral of the story from The Parable of the Talents, Matthew 25:14-30, is that you shall use your gifts wisely because talents are given by God. Hiding your gifts out of fear and collecting large amounts of money in possession without taking action is laziness and sin. The third servant didn't lose money, however, he did nothing with the money. God will reward those who work hard and take faithful risks. It doesn't matter how much you make money, however, it does matter that you make efforts in what you believe in, learn, and act on something to become fruitful. The first and second servants received the same praise even though they earned differently. God rewards effort, not just results.
Remember, If you prove trustworthy in small things, God will give you greater opportunities. Laying it safe is failing God’s test of faithfulness; thus invest your money wisely instead of hoarding it out of fear.
