The word hard, which this slave used to characterize his master, is far from flattering. Its also preceded by a story about a servant not using his position well while the master is away. He is not harsh, nor does He require that we do the impossible (make a profit where He has not provided the means). 20 "So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, 'Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.' 21 His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you werefaithful over a few things,I will make you ruler over many things. each according to his ability. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Salt is good, but if salt loses its flavor, how can its flavor be restored? (Luke 14:34). Let me call your attention to the most important elements of the parable, as I now understand it. It is a time when one should have the wisdom of age, financial freedom, and flexibility. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, [1] each according to his ability. It was not until after the fall of man that mans labor became toil: 17 But to Adam he said, Because you obeyed your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, You must not eat from it, cursed is the ground thanks to you; in painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. Sometimes it is merely a connective, a virtual conjunction. He provides the money and the ability, but we are expected to work hard with what He has given us, for the profit of the kingdom. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. From kerdos; to gain. Playlist: Go to the Parable of the Talents (topic) playlist . Since Jesus was the son of God and therefore had a right to the kingship he claimed, we cant accuse him of stealing what he didnt deserve. Heaven is not to be thought of as me laying beside the pool, sipping a tall, cool one, as one of my fellow elders commented this past week. It would appear that only the fourth soil represents the true believer. 18 But the one who had received one talent went out and dug a hole in the ground and hid his masters money in it. And so it is that those who over time work with what they are entrusted, in order to make a profit for their master, are rewarded for their faithfulness. Matthew 25:14-30 NRSV - "For it is as if a man, | Biblia But each man doubled his masters money. God made me for a purpose, for China, Liddell says, But he also made me fast, and when I run, I feel his pleasure. If so, then what is the fruitful labor God has given to you? These gifts have been seen to include personal abilities ("talents" in the everyday sense), as well as personal wealth.