In Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus tells a powerful story known as the Parable of the Bags of Gold (or the Parable of the Talents in some translations). This parable serves as a profound lesson on stewardship, responsibility, and the call to live faithfully with the gifts God entrusts to us.
The Parable
The Parable of the Bags of Gold in Matthew 25 follows the Parable of the Ten Virgins, in which Jesus warns His followers to be ready for His return. It is important to note that both of these parables are connected.
The Parable of the Bags of Gold includes four characters: a master who is going on a long journey and four of his servants. Each of the servants was given a portion of the master’s wealth. One servant was given five bags, another was given two bags, and the third was given one bag.
While the master was on his journey, each servant stewarded the master’s wealth. The servant who received five bags put his money to work (v. 16) and gained five more bags. The servant who received two bags gained two more (v. 17). Finally, the servant who received one bag dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money (v. 18).
After a long journey, the master returned and settled accounts with his servants. The man who had gained five more bags for his master was approved for his work and was called a “good and faithful servant” by his master. The man who had gained two more bags was also approved for his work, and was called a “good and faithful servant.”
Finally, the man who had received the one bag explained to his master that he was afraid and hid the gold bag so that he could return all that belonged to him (v. 25). The master vehemently disapproved of the servant's decision and labeled him a wicked and lazy servant. Further, the master took the bag of gold away from the lazy servant and gave it to the first servant who had ten bags. Finally, the servant was cast outside “into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
The Importance of Stewardship
At the core of this parable is stewardship. In other translations, this parable is known as the Parable of the Talents. The English word talent is derived from the Greek word talanton, which refers to a sum of money. Some sources conclude that this sum of money was equal to 6,000 denarii, which would take a day laborer twenty years to earn. While the talents or bags of gold refer directly to money in the parable, it is appropriate to understand this parable in relation to other life resources such as time, abilities, and authority.
Each servant was given a different amount of money that they were responsible for, however, regardless of the amount they received the expectation was still the same: faithfulness. As followers of Christ, we are called to use what God has given us (money, abilities, time, etc.) for His glory and His purposes.
A key takeaway from this parable concerning stewardship is that God is not as interested in the size of our gifts but in how we use them. It is interesting to note that the first two servants did not have the same level of success in dollar amount, but they received the same praise for their efforts (v. 19-23). It is important not to compare ourselves to others around us and their stewardship, but to focus on making the most of what the Lord has entrusted to us.
The Importance of Faithfulness
Further than stewardship, this parable highlights the importance of faithfulness to the Lord. The servants represent God’s people, and the master represents the Lord. The Lord gave each servant something that He expected them to be faithful to. In our lives, the Lord has given us things that He expects us to be faithful to.
In the parable, we see two servants who are intentionally faithful with the bags of gold that they were given. The first servant put his money to work and gained five more bags (v. 16). The second servant did the same and gained two more bags (v. 18). However, the third servant was driven by fear of his master and did nothing with the bag he received.
The lesson that we can learn from this is that we must take risks in faith. The third servant did not lack ability, but he did lack action. This is true in the lives of many followers of Christ when it comes to the opportunities and responsibilities that God places in our lives.
Whether it's sharing the gospel, serving in our communities, or using our gifts in the workplace, the temptation to "play it safe" can hinder us from fully living out God's purpose for us. The parable reminds us that playing it safe is not the same as being faithful. In fact, faithfulness often requires boldness, trust, and a willingness to take risks.
Accountability and Judgement
As noted at the beginning of this blog, the Parable of the Bags of Gold follows the Parable of the Ten Virgins where Jesus instructs His followers to be prepared for His return, no matter how long it takes. Similarly, the Parable of the Bags of Gold highlights the reality that each person will be judged and held accountable for what they have done.
In this parable, the master eventually returns to settle accounts with his servants to hold them accountable for how they handled the resources they were given. Two different responses are given to the servants. For the servants that gained a return on the master’s wealth, they received great praise for their efforts. In this praise report, the master noted their faithfulness and put them in charge of “many things” because of their faithfulness (v. 21). It is important to note that both servants received the same praise report, even though the first servant technically gained three more bags than the second servant.
The third servant received a stern judgment for his inaction. First, the servant did not take responsibility for his failure to take action but rather placed the blame on the hardness of the master. The master condemned the servant, labeling him as wicked and lazy. Further, the servant had the bag of gold taken from him and was cast “into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (v. 30).
Jesus' words at the end of the parable can feel unsettling. These statements highlight the principle that neglecting or misusing what God has given us results in spiritual loss. God expects growth, not stagnation, in our spiritual lives and in how we contribute to His kingdom.
How Does This Apply To Us Today?
The Parable of the Bags of Gold applies directly to our lives today. Each of us has been given unique gifts that the Lord has entrusted to us, including financial resources, talents, relationships, and opportunities. This parable reveals that God desires that we not only recognize these gifts but steward them well to produce fruit that furthers His purposes in the world.
There are four ways in which you can apply this parable to your life:
Examine your gifts: What are the talents, opportunities, or resources God has given you? Whether they seem big or small, they matter in God's economy. Reflect on how you are using them for His glory.
Avoid fearful inaction: It wasn’t that the third servant didn’t have any resources, it was that he was driven by fear not to do anything with his resources. The lesson we can learn is that taking no risk can be the greatest risk of all. Be willing to step out in faith to use your resources and produce fruit for God’s kingdom, and trust that He will be with you in that process.
Be faithful in the small things: God’s praise for the first two servants reminds us that faithfulness in small things prepares us for greater responsibilities. Even though some tasks or responsibilities you currently have feel insignificant, they are preparing you for faithfulness in greater responsibility that the Lord may have for you in the future.
Recognize the joy of partnership with God: It is important to highlight that the Lord invites the first two servants to share in His happiness. God desires that we experience the joy of partnering with Him as we faithfully use the gifts and resources that He has entrusted to us.
Conclusion
The Parable of the Bags of Gold is not just a story about money; it’s a call to live faithfully and courageously as stewards of God’s blessings. It invites us to embrace a life of purpose, knowing that our efforts—when done in faith—are noticed and rewarded by the Master. Let us strive to hear those precious words: "Well done, good and faithful servant."
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