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14For it is as if a man going abroad
called his own servants and gave them his goods.
15And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to
another one; to each according to his ability. And he went abroad at once.
16And going he who had received the five talents traded
with them, and made another five talents.
17And likewise he who had received two, he also gained
another two.
18But he who had received the one talent went and dug in
the earth and hid his lord's silver.
19After a long time the lord of those servants came and
took account with them.
20And so he who had received five talents came and brought
another five talents, saying, Lord, you delivered five talents to me. Behold,
I have gained five talents above them.
21His lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful
servant! You have been faithful over a few things; I will make you ruler over many
things. Enter into the joy of your lord.
22He also who had received two talents came and said, Lord,
you delivered two talents to me. Behold, I have gained two other talents above them.
23His lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful
servant! You have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many
things. Enter into the joy of your lord.
24And he who had received the one talent came and said,
Lord, I knew that you were a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering
where you did not scatter.
25And I was afraid and went and hid your talent in the
earth. Lo, you have yours.
26His lord answered and said to him, Evil and slothful
servant! You knew that I reaped where I did not sow, and gathered where I did not
scatter,
27then you should have put my money to the exchangers,
and coming I would have received my own with interest.
28Therefore take the talent from him and give it to him
who has ten talents.
29For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he
will abound. But from him who has not, even that which he has shall be taken away
from him.
30And throw the unprofitable servant into outer darkness;
there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
MKJV |
12Therefore He said, A certain nobleman
went into a far country to receive a kingdom for himself, and to return.
13And He called his ten servants and delivered ten minas,
and said to them, Trade until I come back.
14But his citizens hated him. And they sent a message after
him, saying, We will not have this one to reign over us.
15And when he had received his kingdom and had returned,
then it happened that he commanded these servants to be called to him; the ones to
whom he had given the silver; so that he might know what each had gained by trading.
16And came the first, saying, Lord, your mina has gained
ten minas.
17And he said to him, Well done, good servant, because you
have been faithful in a least thing, have authority over ten cities.
18And the second came, saying, Lord, your mina has made
five minas.
19And he said the same to him, You be over five cities.
20And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is your mina,
which I have kept in a handkerchief.
21For I feared you, because you are a harsh man. You take
up what you did not lay down, and you reap what you did not sow.
22And he said to him, I will judge you out of your own mouth,
wicked servant! You knew that I was a harsh man, taking up what I had not laid down
and reaping what I did not sow.
23And why did you not give my silver on the bank table,
and coming I might have exacted it with interest?
24And he said to those who stood by, Take the mina from
him and give it to him who has ten minas.
25And they said to him, Lord, he has ten minas.
26For I say to you that to everyone who has, more will be
given. And from him who has not, even that which he has will be taken from him.
27But those who are my enemies, who did not desire that
I should reign over them, bring them here and slay them before me.
MKJV |
- We are expected to occupy, to do businesses until the Lord returns. We are not
of this world, but we are in this world,
I do not pray [Father] for You to take them out of the world, but for You to
keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world,
John 17:15-16.
- In Matthew's account, each was given according to his own ability. We are not
expected to produce beyond our abilities or to compare ourselves to others, but
we are expected to live up to our abilities.
- The wicked servant spoke to the master, saying: I knew you were
a hard or harsh man. In Luke's account, it says: the master judged this man by the
words out of his own mouth. For with whatever
judgment you judge, you shall be judged; and with whatever measure you measure out,
it shall be measured to you again, Matthew 7:2.
- The servant that had the one talent, refused to put his talent to work.
Whatever his reason may have been, the servant was judged as lazy and
wicked. God's ways are not negotiable, the master told or expected his servants
to "do business until his return". We are also expected to put our talents /
abilities to use, so we will not be viewed by our Master in heaven as lazy and
wicked servants.
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