Contents:
- The Parable of the Talents
- The Parable of the Ten Minas
- Interpretations of these Parables
- Three kinds of work
- Summary
Jesus told the following two parables:
The Parable of the Talents:
For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted them with his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents immediately went and traded with them, and he earned five talents more. So even he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. After a long time the master of the servants came and dealt with them. He who had received the five talents came forward and brought another five talents with him. His master told him that he had been a faithful servant. Because he had been faithful over a little, he became responsible for many things. He who had the two talents came also forward. He had made two more talents. His master also told him that he had been a faithful servant. Because he had been faithful over a little, he became responsible for many things. He who had received the one talent then came forward. Knowing that his master was a hard man, he said that he got scared and hid his talent in the ground. But his master answered him that he should have placed his money with the bankers, so that he would have received interest. The master took the talent from him and gave it to him who had the ten talents. For
to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance.
But from the one who doesn't have, even what he has will be taken away.
And he cast this servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Mat 25:14–30).
The Parable of the Ten Minas:
A nobleman went into a far country to receive a kingdom and then return. Then he called ten of his servants, gave them ten minas, and told them to do business until he returned. His citizens hated him and didn't want him to rule over them. When he returned, having received the kingdom, he called to him the servants to whom he had given the money. The first came before him and said that he had earned ten minas more. Because he had been faithful in very little, he was given authority over ten cities. The other came and said he had earned five minas. He gained power over five cities. Then another came and said that he
had kept it hidden in a handkerchief, because he was afraid that he would be a stern man. The king said that he should have put the money in the bank to earn interest. He took the mina from him and gave it to the one who had the ten minas. To everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. The enemies who didn't want him to rule over them were then brought to him to be slaughtered before him. (Luk 19:11–27).
Interpretations of these Parables:
The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins. God has made it so easy to live
a life for him, but we can choose not to, and just live a life for ourselves.
But that isn't God's will. God wants us to live a faithful life for him.
Jesus speaks to us to be busy and faithful in his absence. When he comes back,
he wants us to have something to show him. We should walk in wisdom to outsiders and make the most of every opportunity we get (Col 4:5). We are created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God has prepared in advance for us to do (Eph 2:10), see The Parable about the Wise and Foolish Builders.
It's even possible for someone who says he believes in God, but shows no work for God to be lost forever (Mat 25:26–30). This is about a person who has never walked in the faith that he says that he has, and has only lived for himself (Rom 2:6-8, Eph 2:10). He didn't have a genuine faith that produced works. If you have real faith, you have works that follow (James 2:14–26, Titus 3:8), see
The Book of James. No work is evidence of a lack of real faith. The third servant is an example of such a person who tried to shift the blame back to the master. If he was really afraid of him, he should have done something with the responsibility given to him. His money was given to the servant that had gained the most money. The spiritual rule that comes to this is: "For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who hasn't, even what he has will be taken away." (Mat 25:29, Luk 19:26). Those who have gained fruitfulness in their lives with the ministries that God has given them and their gifts will be rewarded, see time 6:06–7:49 in Bible Q & A with Pastor Paul.
But those who have nothing to show God will be taken away they have.
This third servant can be seen as a person who receives God's grace in vain
(2 Cor 6:1), see grace in God's Attributes.
Those who hated the king and didn't want him to rule over them (Luk 19:14, 27)
is a picture of those who have rejected Jesus as our Savior, see
The Parable of the Wedding Feast.
Three kinds of work:
Apostle Paul talks about different kinds of work that a person should do who are already saved (1 Cor 3:10–17), see Salvation:
- Work that survives (1 Cor 3:14). There is a reward for those who build
on the foundation that is Christ-centered, with good things that are imperishable (last into eternity), see for example
The Great Commission (Mat 28:19–20a, Acts 2:42). See also
time 25:40–26:36 in Bible Q & A With Pastor Paul │December 2023.
Note then however this warning from Jesus: "Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in Heaven. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward." (Mat 6:1–2). - Work that is useless (1 Cor 3:15). These are things that are perishable (doesn't last into eternity). It doesn't have to be bad things but you can't take it with you into eternity. Such a person will be saved but only as someone who escapes the flames and he will have no reward in Heaven for such work. This means that it's possible for an individual with genuine faith to be saved even though he has nothing to show that is imperishable for that faith (see however the warning by Jesus above).
God looks at our heart and our motives behind what we do. - Work that destroys (1 Cor 3:17). A person with the purpose of destroying the church will himself be destroyed. This is about false teachers and false prophets (2 Pet 2:1, Jude 1:4, Gal 1:6–9), see The Book of Galatians. It's about preaching another gospel, which can be done even in Christian churches. This can lead to one being lost forever, if one doesn't repent.
- No work for God at all. It's like what he third servant showed in the parables above. Boasting about all the work done for God is also like doing no work for God at all.
Summary:
The following applies to a born again Christian believer:
- No work for God or doing work that destroys can result in being lost forever.
- Work that is perishable (doesn't last for eternity) brings no reward in Heaven, but the person is saved.
- Work that is imperishable (last for eternity) brings reward in Heaven.
For information on other parables, see Jesus' Parables.
