[arcura]

Today's Gospel (Mt 25:14-30): Imagine someone who, before going abroad, summoned his servants to entrust his property to them. He gave five talents of silver to one, then two to another, and one to a third, each one according to his ability; and he went away.

»He who received five talents went at once to do business with the money and gained another five. The one who received two did the same and gained another two. But the one with one talent dug a hole and hid his master's money.

»After a long time, the master of those servants returned and asked for a reckoning. The one who received five talents came with another five talents, saying: ‘Lord, you entrusted me with five talents, but see I have gained five more with them’. The master answered: ‘Very well, good and faithful servant, since you have been faithful in a few things, I will entrust you with much more. Come and share the joy of your master’.

»Then the one who had two talents came and said: ‘Lord, you entrusted me with two talents; I have two more which I gained with them’. The master said: ‘Well, good and faithful servant, since you have been faithful in little things, I will entrust you with much more. Come and share the joy of your master’.

»Finally, the one who had received one talent came and said: ‘Master, I know that you are an exacting man. You reap what you have not sown and gather what you have not invested. I was afraid, so I hid your money in the ground. Here, take what is yours’. But his master replied: ‘Wicked and worthless servant, you know that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not invested. Then you should have deposited my money in the bank, and you would have given it back to me with interest on my return. Therefore, take the talent from him, and give it to the one who has ten. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who are unproductive, even what they have will be taken from them. As for that useless servant, throw him out into the dark where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth’».
:confused:Is this an indication of the rich getting richer or something else?:confused:
Please think it over and then answer my question.
I'm very interested in how Christians see this.
:)Peace and kindness,:)
Fred

[revdrgade]

Actually, it IS about the rich getting richer.

However, Jesus is teaching about spiritual riches even though He uses earthly riches to make His point.

We, who have become God's children/servants/friends, ARE rich. We are children of the King of the universe. He owns all things. He gives to those that He wills to give them to.

James 1:16-17
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good endowment and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
RSV
1 Cor 12:10-11
11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.
NIV


This is part of the "seek first the kingdom" teaching. We are to use whatever God has entrusted to us spiritually for the Master of the Kingdom of God. If we do, God will entrust more to us.

{and in most cases that further entrustment will include the physical wherewithall to be stewards of the additional spiritual work.}

[Eileen1218]

God gives us certain talents... maybe a voice to preach His word . When becoming a Christian we all become ministers for God. We have all different gifts and talents to share. It comes down to simply that if you have a special gift or talent "use it or lose it"
God will give greater gifts and talents if you use the slightest gift given by God and He will multiply it and give even more to you to use for His glory.
Galatians 6

1Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

2Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

3For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

4But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

5For every man shall bear his own burden.

6Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.

7Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

8For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

9And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

10As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

[arcura]

Good answers so far.
Thanks you much.
Peace and kindness,
Fred

[Choux]

This is a parable... it is an extended metaphor... the Master is God, the talents are Christian spiritual wisdom/teachings, and the servant is a believer.

The lesson is that a believer who has a lot of Christian spiritual wisdom gained from God---he who conceals/hides that wisdom, will be rejected by God.

God rejoices at those who attempt to increase the amount of Christian spiritual wisdom among humankind, at those who don't play it safe. :)

[arcura]

Choux,
Thanks, that's very good.
I hope it increased your spiritualiy.
Peace and kindness,
Fred

[cogs]

I don't think this is about money. I think it's about us being in the true vine, producing fruit worthy of the kingdom of god.
God's word in us convinces us of our faults, and we should repent. Then, we will begin to obey god, be in his will, and start to produce fruit.
This is the work we should be doing to produce a 'profit'. We can only do this in the vine, because as a branch alone, off the vine, we will only wither, and be thrown into the fire.
Whatever work or trials god chooses for us, we should make good use of the resources to that end. I can't give further explanation, as I am still inexperienced in this walk.
Hm, maybe I'll find a way to give something to the bankers... now what is the explanation there?

[N0help4u]

It is about using your talents, riches, etc the most effective, beneficial way possible rather than being wasteful or squandering away what you are capable of contributing toward the good of others and growing spiritually. Goes hand in hand with not putting your light under a bushel.

[arcura]

Very Good,
Thanks
Fred