Deeper Reflection
Here, “talent” does not mean some skill or ability. It is a large monetary unit worth about twenty years’ wages for a common labourer. The master did not instruct his three servants regarding what to do with the given talents nor did he tell them how long he would be away. He simply entrusted his property to them. Two of the servants invested the money and doubled the amount entrusted to them. When the master returned, he responded to each of the two faithful servants with identical words: “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” (vv.21, 23)The third servant buried the money and did nothing with it. The master called him a “wicked and slothful servant” and took away the one talent and gave it to the servant with the ten talents. The master’s reward for good and faithful stewardship is more responsibility! This does not mean that the master rewards faithfulness with increased hardship (more work!); rather, the master rewards faithfulness with an increased capacity to do the master’s will and please Him. A good and faithful Christian’s desire in life is to please and glorify God his Master. As we serve God with faithful stewardship of the resources (time, people, wealth and abilities) He has entrusted to us, we can be sure that our lives will please and glorify God in increasing measure as He Himself enables and empowers us. At the end of all our achievements, may we say sincerely with heartfelt devotion: “To God be the glory!”