Commonly called the Parable of the Talents (talents being the term used by the King James translators, or “bags of silver” by more modern translators), it could just as easily be called the Parable of Capitalism.
Described here are two difficult realities within a free market economy:
- Life is not fair. We are not all given the same “talents”, treasure, gifts, mental aptitude, or opportunities in this life. There are people for whom Christ died in third world countries that are vastly smarter than the writer of this course, but they have not been given the same opportunities that the writer has been given. That isn’t fair, but it is reality.
- We have a responsibility to take the “talents”, treasure, gifts, mental aptitude, and opportunities that we have been given, and do our very best to multiply them to the glory of God without whining, resentment, envy, or excuses.
The lessons are plain. Both economically and spiritually we are not to hoard, but are to put our money and spiritual gifts to work. Do not heed the prophets of doom and gloom that warn us to hoard and hide. Plan and practice as though Jesus isn’t returning for at least another 2000 years, but live as though He’s returning today!
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