As given in the parable of the talents — Matthew 25:14-3014For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 15And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. 16Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. 17And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. 18But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. 19After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. 20And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 21His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 22He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 23His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 24Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: 25And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. 26His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 27Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 28Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 29For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. 30And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 25:14‑30) — the Lord called His own servants, gave to each of them according to their several ability, and took His journey. Grace, we shall see, made all the difference in character and acceptance, though gift might give, according to His divine appointment, its appropriate reward, being exercised through grace. There are three things in the parable. First, the talents conferred by Christ on His own servants, which shows that they are not natural faculties or worldly opportunities, but such as are peculiar to the servants of Christ. Next, these are conferred according to the competency or fitness of the vessel, a man is a “chosen vessel” who receives the gifts, and there is the capacity of the vessel, as well as the extent and character of the gift. Third, the use of it was a different matter, the one talent was given according to ability as well as the five. The Lord giving according to ability proved the fitness of God’s appointment and the responsibility to be in him to whom it was given, but the just use of the talent did not depend upon this. The possession of the talent constituted the responsibility for its use.
That which led to its right use is not the recognition of man or appointment through man. The grace which used it is personal confidence in the character and acceptance of God. The grace is proved by and rests for its exhibition on confidence in the Lord; it uses the talent by virtue of its personal acquaintance with and trust in His character. This is what characterizes the difference between the good and evil servants. He was a good servant who acted on his personal confidence in the Lord’s character, and a bad servant who did not.
There are two points marked as the consequence on the Lord’s return. First, there is a large reward given in government: He is made ruler over many things. Second, there is actual personal association with Christ in blessing, not being blessed under Him as one who is ruled over, but, “Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” It does not seem that the energy and power of the Holy Spirit is taken away, though the scene of its exercise may be different (rule and joy instead of trading as a servant), save from the unprofitable servant, who is cast outside the light and glory of the kingdom.
Let us remember that faithfulness consists in the use of a gift upon the ground of personal, individual confidence in the character of the Lord as our master. This is the evidence of grace — not waiting for anything else or the want of it. The servant not using the talent when he had it flowed from positively false notions of God, thoughts of evil, the absence of grace, and a principle entirely condemned by the Lord as the proof of evil.
J. N. Darby, excerpted from
Collected Writings 24:229-230