The parable of the three servants (or parable of the talents) in the New Testament has often been discussed regarding the curation of personal abilities (or talents). It is a picture of being faithful in little things according to abilities and being given increasing responsibility as a result of successful management of those responsibilities.
In verses 21 and 23, the Master responds positively to His servants as they show the accomplishment of their tasks by:
- Noting the servant’s faithfulness
- Awarding them with more responsibility and authority
- Inviting the servant to celebrate with the Master
Experientially, these servants are transitioning into a new phase with their Master (well, except the wicked/lazy/useless servant who is thrown out of the Master’s presence in verse 30). As the focus of this week is the mind shift managers experience as they move towards leadership, this verse is poignant. Not only does it affirm the need for good management and faithfulness in the smaller details, it also shows the progression from management to leadership. It is clearly noted that the servants were given responsibilities commensurate with their abilities. A good Master/Leader recognizes that each person should be developed where they are and not at a level they are not ready to handle. Once they accomplished the duties at their level, they were moved up to a higher level.
However, it is the last invitation that stands out most. The Master invites the servant to celebrate with the Master. In the Greek, the phrase there is εἴσελθε εἰς τὴν χαρὰν τοῦ κυρίου σου or “enter into the joy of your Master.” The “enter into” in the Greek is an imperative: go or come into. It is someone who was outside coming inside. The final reward for the job well done was to enter into the joy of the Master, the joy of the Lord. It was not money or power as the final invitation; it was relationship with the Master.
When you look at the servant leadership we discussed last week, entering into the joy of the Master is particularly vital. The relationship with God is the foundation for serving those in our care. As is shown in the passage this week, no matter the level of our development, the Master invites us to enter into His joy when we are willing to do so.
As we make the mind shift from managers to leadership, then, our focus must be on the relationship with our Master. That is to inform our practice as leaders.
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