Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus told His disciples, “the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods, And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey”, and in chapter twenty-five and verse sixteen of his book, Matthew writes how Jesus said, “he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same” where we read:
Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same,
and made them other five talents.
The verse reads, “Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, ...” Matthew began with Jesus' word, “then” which means “at that time and moment” “he that had received” or “the servant who was distributed and given” “the five talents” which means “the five sums of money weighing a talent and varying in different states and according to the changes in the laws regulating currency”“went and traded” or “left and worked, labored and made gains by trading” “with the same” which means “with the five talents given to him by his master”. Matthew shared how Jesus said the servant with the “five talents” went out and traded them in business and work transactions.
The verse goes on to say, “... and made them other five talents.” Matthew added Jesus' words, “and made them” which means “and produced, made ready, bore and rendered” “other five talents” or “an additional five sums of money weighing a talent and varying in different states and according to the changes in the laws regulating currency”. Matthew shared how Jesus told his disciples the “servant” with “five talents” doubled his amount because he labored and put at risk the “five talents” given to him.
When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we understand the “five talents” were “on loan” to this servant from the man who traveled. The idea here is that the servant with “five talents” put those “talents” at risk in the labor force. Whether he invested them, traded with them or did physical labor from items bought with the talents we are not certain, but we do know he “gained five talents” more by what he did. God loves people to faithfully use the “gifts” He has given them, and He will bless their efforts when they do. This does not endorse trivial and wasteful investment, but wise labor and trading that produces “profit” from His gifts. God sent His Son Jesus to die for the sins of the world, and since Jesus obeyed His Heavenly Father, His “profit” benefits all who yield their lives to Him as “Savior and Lord”. Let all who read these words examine the “gifts” given to them by God and begin to use them in “faith” to make “profit” for Him when He returns.
Next time Matthew writes how Jesus shares how, “likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
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