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).
Verses 14, 15. "For the kingdom of heaven [the heavens] is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants [bond-servants], and delivered unto them his goods." "And unto one He gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man [each one] according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.”
THE Lord Jesus, who came forth from the Father, and came into the world, has again left the world, and returned to His Father.
During His absence there are those in the world who acknowledge Him both as Savior and Lord, some in profession only, and others in reality and truth.
These are represented in the parable by the bondservants.
During the present dispensation there are important trusts committed to the responsibility of those who acknowledge Christ, such as the Gospel preached to every creature, the faith once committed to the saints, the presence of the Comforter, and the gifts of the Spirit sent down from the ascended Lord: these are characterized as "His goods"; not ordinary providential benefits, or mental endowments, but things pertaining to the Lord Jesus Christ.
We may regard the one talent as representing the outward privileges of Christianity, as including a preached Gospel, an open Bible, the Lord's Day, the example and influence of godly souls, &c.
By the two talents we may understand not simply the outward means of grace, but also the gift of Divine grace (Eph. 2:8, 98For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8‑9)). "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.”
In the five talents may be included not only the outward means and the inward grace, but also the gifts of the Spirit for special service, such as the gift of the evangelist, the pastor, and the teacher.
And these privileges and gifts are distributed not only in Divine sovereignty, but also in wisdom, and with due consideration of the character and capabilities of the receiver.
Verses 16-18. "Then he that received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money" [silver].
Spiritual gifts may be stirred up and exercised, the servant become in labors more abundant, whilst his own individual piety may be cultivated at the same time. Thus the five talents may become ten. And the receiver of the two talents, by growing in grace, and by the diligent use of the means of grace, may so profit as that the two talents may become four.
On the other hand, through worldliness, formality, and sloth, the privileges of Christianity may fail in producing any spiritual results, leaving the individual un-regenerated, unsanctified, unsaved. The one talent may be buried in the earth. But as the silver belonged, not to the servant, but to his lord, he will be called to account for his unfaithfulness in neglecting his responsibility.
Verses 19-23. “After a long time the lord of those servants [bond-servants] cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, ' Lord, Thou deliverest unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, ' Well done, thou good and faithful servant [bondservant]; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over [set thee over] many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord! He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliverest unto me two talents: 'Behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.' His lord said unto him, ' well done, good and faithful servant [bond-servant], thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over [set thee over] many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.'”
Although the return of the Lord Jesus from the time of His departure was the next event to be expected, yet the Lord saw a lengthened period would elapse before His coming, and in measure He prepared His disciples for it.
Hence He says, "AFTER A LONG TIME, the Lord of those servants cometh." They were to watch, as not knowing the day nor hour of His return; but they were also to wait, and though He tarried, continue to expect Him.
Thus we have the prayer in the and Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians, third chapter, verse 5, "The Lord [that is the Spirit] direct your heart into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.”
Between the coming of the Bridegroom to receive His Church and the manifestation as Son of Man in kingly glory, two events are predicted: the judgment-seat of Christ at the commencement of Daniel's seventieth week and the marriage supper of the Lamb at the close—for the judgment-seat of Christ is connected with His coming. "Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God" (1 Cor. 4:55Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. (1 Corinthians 4:5)).
When the Lord Jesus shall come for His saints, it is first to take account of His servants, "for we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ;" and then, when the secrets of all hearts are made manifest, He will reward everyone according to their works.
In the parable he that had received the five talents acknowledges his indebtedness and responsibility in its full extent: "Lord, thou deliverest unto me five talents;" and he is able also to point out the results, and received his lord's approval.
The fidelity had been in a few things, and for a short time; the recompense is far more exceeding and eternal. There is an entrance on the joy, but no departure from it, and no end. And the enjoyment is not of the highest creature good, but participation in the Lord's own joy: "He will make him drink of the river of His pleasures.”
So, also, he that had received the two talents, he having been faithful in his measure, is commended of his lord, and enters on his joy.
There is an evident connection between the "few things" of the fidelity and the "many things" of the kingdom. While both servants enter on the kingdom and the joy, the extent of the dominion of the one may be wider than that of the other.
So, in the corresponding parable in Luke 19, he whose pound had gained ten pounds had authority over ten cities, whilst he whose pound had gained five pounds was set over five cities. For the word of the Lord is, "Behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”
Verses 24-30. " Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art a hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed; and I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.' His lord answered and said unto him, 'Thou wicked and slothful servant [bondservant], thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed; thou oughtest therefore to have put my money [silver] to the exchangers [or bankers], and then at my coming I should have received [received back] mine own with usury [interest]. Take, therefore, the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For 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. And cast ye the unprofitable servant [bond-servant] into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'”
When the Lord Jesus comes to receive His own the possession of the outward privileges of Christianity will avail nothing apart from the possession of Divine grace. "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:33Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (John 3:3)).
Apart from the teaching of the Holy Spirit there is no real acquaintance with Christ, but only a false estimate of His character, and, instead of confidence and love, a distrust and fear.
Such are among "the fearful and unbelieving" described in Rev. 21:88But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (Revelation 21:8). From these, when the Lord comes, the outward privileges of Christianity will be taken away, and they will be given over to the outer darkness of the delusion of Antichrist, and afterward to endless remorse and woe. It is not only with neglect the Lord charges the servant here, but with wickedness and sloth, as utterly unfaithful and unprofitable as to the trust confided to him.
He might have applied to the God of all grace for grace divine; he might have applied to the Lord Jesus, who refuses none who come to Him, and He would have given him the living water; he might have applied to the eternal Spirit for His convicting, quickening, sanctifying grace and power, and thus, as it were, put his money to the exchangers, so that the Lord at His coming might have received the glory and the joy.
On the other hand, to those who have valued and improved the means and privileges of the Gospel on the earth, how rich the recompense and the eternal reward.
“If such the sweetness of the streams,
What will the fountain be!”
when they enter on the eternal Sabbath, serving God day and night in His temple, and going out no more forever!