(per a conversation I had with a friend a couple of weeks ago, this study has been burning in my heart. this is part one)
Talents can be added to, multiplied. decreased and divided. Talents are goods, possessions, commodities. They can be traded with the intent to gain increase or banked to gain interest, depending on the type of commodity in question.
Talents can be added to, multiplied. decreased and divided. Talents are goods, possessions, commodities. They can be traded with the intent to gain increase or banked to gain interest, depending on the type of commodity in question.
The talents spoken of in Matthew 25:14-30 are given by The Lord God as stated in verse 14 "the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country". The kingdom of heaven denotes sovereignty and kingship. And, who is King but our King? who is God but our God? Psalm 113:5 " Who is like the LORD our God, the One enthroned on high?"
Who receives these talents? The Lord's servants (V.14). Who are His servants? Exodus 19:5,6a "Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine. And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." 1 Peter 2:9 "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light."
What determines who receives each quantity of talents? (V.15) "To every man according to his ability." Talents are not abilities. Ability in this instance means "miraculous power, might, strength" according to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance. God knows the hearts of His servants and to each of us He has given a portion of His goods. Not bury in the ground and hide away (V.25), but to increase such goods that God would be glorified by our actions.
Since it is God who determines what is given to whom, we are not to wonder, envy, nor judge what has been given but help one another to increase the talents. But the talent (talanton) is not a monetary unit, but a measuring unit by which all commodities are weighed, such as by scale, as each country has it own coin and trading system.
We are each given a measure of faith (Romans 12:3), a portion (territory, tract of land) of our inheritance, our reward. But it is up to us to multiply our measures, that when our Lord returns for what is His we are able to give Him the bounteous harvest He is looking for on His return.
