What is Yours

Matthew 25:14-30
The Parable of Talents

As we dig into this story, let’s begin with the context. This parable follows the previous parable of the ten bridesmaids, and it begins with “For it is as if…” in the NRSV translation. Other translations specifically say, “And, the kingdom of heaven is also like this…” This connector phrase is important because it tells us that Jesus isn’t finished with his stories about the kingdom of heaven/God. Another one follows, so we should be looking for the kingdom of God in this story.
 
That’s where I have a hard time again. Mainly because many of us have been taught this parable through an American lens, where everyone has the freedom to earn or invest in making more money. We like to think that is the case, but our system has similarities to the hierarchical system in which this story takes place. Jesus tells this story when Israel is under Roman occupation, so the Master is most likely a wealthy Roman or even symbolic of the Emperor.
 
The Master “entrusts” his property to his slaves and then leaves. Many translations refer to the property as talents, coins, denarii, a wide range of valuable assets that can be increased. The amount is ridiculous and certainly more than the slaves could imagine. It would have so many zeros today. The slaves might get lured in to this opportunity to invest more money that they’ll ever see in their lifetime. The Master doesn’t tell the slaves to invest his money, but it is implied because of the context. Within the Roman system, the wealthy had slaves or servants who worked for them and their sole purpose was to make their Master wealthier.
 
Two of the slaves didn’t get anything out of it except praise and a promotion. They didn’t get to keep any of the money they raised. They got more responsibility because they “proved” they were trustworthy. They “entered into the joy of their master,” (v.21,23) which probably meant they weren’t going to be banished into “outer darkness” (v.30) with pain and suffering like the third slave who didn’t increase the Master’s money.
 
The third slave knew the system was rigged and decided not to be a part of the competition between the slaves. Out of self-proclaimed fear of the Master, this slave buried or hid the Master’s money. He didn’t spend it or save it for himself. He knew it wasn’t his, so he kept it safely to return it to its rightful owner. Remember, Jesus said in another teaching, “Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s” (Mark 12:17). When the Master returned, he said, “You have what is yours,” v.25). Some translations don’t explicitly say this; they imply it, but sometimes the implications are overlooked. This is a key point to this parable, and I like this phrase being said. The Good News Translation said it this way: “Here is what belongs to you,” or the New Living Translation, “Here is your money back.” He gave it back to Caesar.
 
The third slave knew that what was entrusted to him was not his. It was his Master’s, so he wanted to make sure he returned what belonged to someone else. He did not want to take what was given to him and capitalize on it, whether that was for himself or his Master.
 
How is this representative to the kingdom of God? The third slave refrained from the competitive nature of the system. He did not feel the need to prove his abilities in this way. He no longer was complicit to the broken system he was placed in. He understood that he was not a ladder climber, nor his purpose was to make the rich richer. His purpose was to take a stand, even at personal risk, to create a better system of love.
 
With this understanding, who do you think the third slave is? How does that change your understanding of the parable? And, how does that change your relationship with money?
 
Reflection questions:
What harmful systems do you find yourself in that you want to change?
Can you apply this parable to the state of the church? In what ways?
What is yours solely?
 
Action: Commit to working against being complicit in a harmful system. Take one step this week in making that happen.