Clarence Jordan, Biblical scholar and writer of the Cotton Patch Gospel, used to say that a parable from Jesus was like a Trojan horse. You let it in, and Bam! It’s got you. And so it is with this long parable of the talents. Some of you have never heard it before, but I suspect most have. Listening to it this time around you may have some preconceived notions based on your view of God, your experiences in investing and doing what makes the most sense with what you have. 

Parable Series: The Parable of the Talents from Christ Sacred Word on Vimeo.

Well, whether you have heard it once or multiple times, my prayer today is not so much that you leave with answers but food for thought as I give you some facts. And if you are willing to take some time to ponder these things of how you manage. If you do, what you conclude from this passage is in direct relationship with what you think about that which God gives you in money, skill and gifts. 

So here we go.  Let’s review some facts that are plain. The master gives the "talents" to three of his servants. While we often use "talents" to refer to one's abilities, the word in this text refers to a very large sum of money: between 75-96 pounds of silver. It would take nearly 20 years of work at the basic wage of one denari a day to equal one talent. In nearly 20 years in ministry I have not made a talent.  Here’s a good question: Are these talents given by the master for the slaves to manage while he is away, if so, we can conclude that what we are given is all God’s and that we are His stewards until His return in Christ Jesus.  Reasonable.