The Parable of the Three Servants
Have you ever wondered what a talent is worth in today’s money? It is hard to know for sure, yet whatever its exact value, in the New Testament a talent indicates a large sum of money, maybe even as much as a million dollars in today’s currency. We are tempted to feel sorry for the servant who received only one talent, but in reality he received as much as a million dollars from the master and buried it in his back yard. He was given more than enough to meet the master’s expectations. The master in this story expected his servants to do more than passively preserve what has been entrusted to them. he wanted them to generate a return by using their talents towards productive ends.
Matthew 25:14-30Good News Translation (GNT)
The Parable of the Three Servants
14 “At that time the Kingdom of heaven will be like this. Once there was a man who was about to leave home on a trip; he called his servants and put them in charge of his property. 15 He gave to each one according to his ability: to one he gave five thousand gold coins, to another he gave two thousand, and to another he gave one thousand. Then he left on his trip. 16 The servant who had received five thousand coins went at once and invested his money and earned another five thousand. 17 In the same way the servant who had received two thousand coins earned another two thousand. 18 But the servant who had received one thousand coins went off, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master's money.
19 “After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them. 20 The servant who had received five thousand coins came in and handed over the other five thousand. ‘You gave me five thousand coins, sir,’ he said. ‘Look! Here are another five thousand that I have earned.’ 21 ‘Well done, you good and faithful servant!’ said his master. ‘You have been faithful in managing small amounts, so I will put you in charge of large amounts. Come on in and share my happiness!’ 22 Then the servant who had been given two thousand coins came in and said, ‘You gave me two thousand coins, sir. Look! Here are another two thousand that I have earned.’ 23 ‘Well done, you good and faithful servant!’ said his master. ‘You have been faithful in managing small amounts, so I will put you in charge of large amounts. Come on in and share my happiness!’ 24 Then the servant who had received one thousand coins came in and said, ‘Sir, I know you are a hard man; you reap harvests where you did not plant, and you gather crops where you did not scatter seed. 25 I was afraid, so I went off and hid your money in the ground. Look! Here is what belongs to you.’ 26 ‘You bad and lazy servant!’ his master said. ‘You knew, did you, that I reap harvests where I did not plant, and gather crops where I did not scatter seed? 27 Well, then, you should have deposited my money in the bank, and I would have received it all back with interest when I returned. 28 Now, take the money away from him and give it to the one who has ten thousand coins. 29 For to every person who has something, even more will be given, and he will have more than enough; but the person who has nothing, even the little that he has will be taken away from him. 30 As for this useless servant—throw him outside in the darkness; there he will cry and gnash his teeth.’
Parable of the Three Servants
Lyrics by L. Daniels
A master had three servants and he called them to his side
It’s time for me to go away for journeying on the tide
But from my property I’ll entrust to you these talents all these treasures in kind
To each he gave five, two and one with a reason in his mind
The first at once to work he went his talents for to double
And also him with talents two as best his mind was able
But the third he cursed through jealousy
His single gift his treasure in time
When darkness came he dug a hole to hide his masters money
Ten spring tides this master sailed before he returned to settle
His servant spoke entrusted me five talents I have doubled
Well done you good and faithful servant, share in your masters happiness
You’ll be in charge of land and gold for the few that you’ve been faithful
The man with two gifts he also came saying master I’ve gained more
Entrusted me with talents two my usury will be four
Well done you good and faithful servant, share in your masters happiness
You’ll be in charge of stocks and shares for the few that you’ve been faithful
The poor man with his single gift he came before his master
I hid you talent in the ground the other one’s grew faster
You are a slothful wicked servant you knew that I was hard to please
I harvest where I have not sown, gather corn where I’ve not scattered
So take this talent take it from him and give it to the others
For those that have they are given more to have it abundance
Whoever does not have is taken all from him so throw this worthless servant out
And in the darkness he shall weep and gnash his teeth so sorely
So come along you bright bold soles and put them each to wor
Receive them back with interest gained your jealously usurp
Do not compare your talents to those with you feel your power is small
For all we have we must be grateful and heed to the masters calling
