Luke 19:12-27 (Parable of the Talents/Minas) - Use God's Resources Productively

AlexB23

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Another user on this forum, @Christsfreeservant , posted the Parable of the Talents, so today we will be taking another dive into this important passage from Luke 19. The passage tells us not to be idle with our gifts or talents, but actively pursue ways to be good stewards of the Christian community.

Date
April 28, 2024​
Verse
Luke 19:12-27 (ESV): "A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.’ But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’ When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business. The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.’ And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’ And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.’ And he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’ Then another came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’ He said to him, ‘I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’ And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’ And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!’ ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me.’"​
Explanation
Luke 19:12-27 is a parable Jesus told to teach His followers about faithfulness in managing God's resources and being dependent on Him rather than others. The nobleman in this story represents Jesus, who went away to receive the kingdom of God and then returned. The servants represent believers, given various talents or resources (in this case, minas, a form of ancient currency unit) to use wisely while He was away.​
The passage emphasizes the importance of being faithful in managing God's resources and using them for productive purposes. The first two servants multiplied their minas through business, demonstrating a good return on investment. In contrast, the third servant hoarded his mina out of fear, failing to put it into productive use and ultimately losing what he had been given.
This parable also speaks about being overly dependent on others. The third servant was fearful of his master's severity and failed to trust him, ultimately losing the opportunity to increase his master's wealth. Instead, he should have trusted that his master would be gracious and rewarding for faithful stewardship.
Societal Relevance
In modern society, this passage challenges us to:
  1. Use the resources God has given us wisely and productively. Try not to be idle with our money or our aptitudes, but pursue ways to help be good stewards to others to advance God’s community.
  2. Trust in God's grace and provision, rather than relying on others or being fearful. However, if you are truly destitute, you can ask for help (1 Kings 12:6, Galatians 6:2).
  3. Avoid hoarding or misusing the resources God has entrusted to us, recognizing that we will one day give an account for how we've used them.
  4. Seek opportunities to invest in others and help them grow, just as the first two servants did in the parable, even if you get nothing in return. This could mean donating to a charity (investing your money), or helping a sick family member by shopping for them (investing your time).
  5. Understand that our ultimate reward comes from God, not from other people or their approval. This ultimate reward is spiritual and eternal, not monetary and fleeting.
 
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Cool. How can one have 10 words of God?

It's not 10 literal words. It's a parable!


Pro 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
Pro 25:12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

Rev 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
 
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AlexB23

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It's not 10 literal words. It's a parable!


Pro 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
Pro 25:12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

Rev 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
Interesting. So, you are saying that my Bible study is 100% false? Also, the KJV is not my favorite translation. It is 2024, my brother.
 
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AlexB23

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Unfortunately many of us not only bury our "talents", we spend them frivolously, then beg for forgiveness when the master returns.
Agreed. It is sad, but that is how our fallen world works. We must be wise as Christians.
 
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AlexB23

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It's a parable made up of symbols, but you've treated it as a cautionary tale.
I am sorry about that. But, it is better to be safe than sorry. :) I am not that good with parables.
 
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I am sorry about that. But, it is better to be safe than sorry. :) I am not that good with parables.

Parables are to be understood by looking up each symbol in scripture, to see what the interpretation of them is. It's not easy, but it is correct.
 
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AlexB23

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Parables are to be understood by looking up each symbol in scripture, to see what the interpretation of them is. It's not easy, but it is correct.
Definitely. I will try that next time. @jacks thought my study was okay.
 
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jacks

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Parables are to be understood by looking up each symbol in scripture, to see what the interpretation of them is. It's not easy, but it is correct.
Have you done this with the parable of the talents? If so, what was your interpretation?
 
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jacks

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I haven't sat down and done a study with the parable of talents, but the symbols are always the same, and all the parables fuction in the same way.
That's interesting, can you give an example or a link to a site that discusses this? Thank you.
 
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I think it's pretty obvious who the man traveilling into the far country is. It's also pretty obvious who the servents are. The servants are the called.

Rom 1:7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Just because you are called, that doesn't mean you are a saint. The saints are God's elect. Not every Christian is God's elect. So that's what called means.
Mat 25:16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
Mat 25:17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
Mat 25:18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.


The man who recieved ten talents is recieving more understand of scripture than the man with five and one. The guy with one talent goes and hides his in the ground. The ground is the flesh, and because he doesn't have much of an understanding scripture, he doesn't really know what to do with it. I know that sounds pretty obvious, but it isn't. Understanding scripture is extremely difficult. If God doesn't give you any understanding of it, you won't... simple as that. This is usually presented in scripture as being dead, blind, being in darkness, etc...
If you take scripture literally, you are the guy with one talent.

The guy with five talents has much more spiritual insight of scripture than the guy with five talents, which is why he knows what to do with it. The guy ten talents, more so... obviously!
Understanding scripture is hard... very hard! Even if you understand things spiritually and you see things properly, it's very hard to put into words, but there are rules that are given in scripture.


1Co 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2Pe 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.


The last verse should read "own interpretation" because what is saying is that you can just take a verse and guess what it means. It must beheld up to the light of the rest of scripture.
 
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AlexB23

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I think it's pretty obvious who the man traveilling into the far country is. It's also pretty obvious who the servents are. The servants are the called.

Rom 1:7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Just because you are called, that doesn't mean you are a saint. The saints are God's elect. Not every Christian is God's elect. So that's what called means.
Mat 25:16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
Mat 25:17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
Mat 25:18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.


The man who recieved ten talents is recieving more understand of scripture than the man with five and one. The guy with one talent goes and hides his in the ground. The ground is the flesh, and because he doesn't have much of an understanding scripture, he doesn't really know what to do with it. I know that sounds pretty obvious, but it isn't. Understanding scripture is extremely difficult. If God doesn't give you any understanding of it, you won't... simple as that. This is usually presented in scripture as being dead, blind, being in darkness, etc...
If you take scripture literally, you are the guy with one talent.

The guy with five talents has much more spiritual insight of scripture than the guy with five talents, which is why he knows what to do with it. The guy ten talents, more so... obviously!
Understanding scripture is hard... very hard! Even if you understand things spiritually and you see things properly, it's very hard to put into words, but there are rules that are given in scripture.


1Co 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2Pe 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.


The last verse should read "own interpretation" because what is saying is that you can just take a verse and guess what it means. It must beheld up to the light of the rest of scripture.
So, how come this Bible study takes the parable literally?

 
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So, how come this Bible study takes the parable literally?


Simple... the person who wrote that article doesn't know what they are talking about. Ask that person to explain comparing spiritual with spiritual is, and watch their explaination.

The other thing I forgot to mention is too, is that if your doctrines don't line up with that of Christ, those doctrines with prevent you from being able to understand scripture.
 
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