November 18, 2023 – 25th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 28)

“Out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground. Here it is back.” (Mt 25:25)

Along with the story of the Prodigal Son, the parable of the Talents is one of those stories of Jesus that most people feel pretty sure they understand. “Stop wasting the day, get up off your butt, and practice your piano. Some day you will be judged on how you use your talents!” says a frustrated father to his child, confident that he has the backing of the Lord himself on this one.

And I’m pretty confident that he’s right in his application of the Gospel story. In fact, that aspect of the parable is so obvious that the word talanton (Greek for a huge monetary unit of silver amounting to something like a lifetime’s earnings) has entered our languages with the meaning “God-given ability.” English – talent, German – das Talent, Spanish – el talento

Today’s story, then, is a wake-up call for Christians who think they are doing the Lord’s will… And yet the parable is about much more than using our innate, God-given abilities. The parable, in Matthew’s context, is part of Jesus’ last major speech, and it is addressed to Christian disciples. It sits squarely between the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins, which we heard last week, and the Last Judgment Story, which we will hear next week. The charge of the master of the servants is nothing less than the whole mission of the Church—living and spreading the Gospel, making other communities of disciples. It is what Father Sam has been talking about for the entire time that I have been here – a drive to stop believing IN Jesus and to begin believing Jesus. 

The resources for conducting the mission are symbolized by these huge cash amounts—five lifetimes’ earnings, two lifetimes’ earnings, one lifetime’s earnings. These are ALL HUGE amounts. The servants are “entrusted with” those amounts until the master returns. Two of the servants double what they have been given and are rewarded upon the master’s return. The third does what seems, on the face of it, to be a pretty responsible thing. He keeps the talent safe by burying it securely in the ground and, at the time of accounting, returns it intact to his master. Knowing that the master expected more, the servant tries to justify his action by citing his fear of the master. Apparently he did not fear the consequences of disobeying the master. Maybe he figured it was better to risk the consequence of disobedience than to risk losing the original deposit by “working with it” in ways that just might fail.

Today’s story, then, is a wake-up call for Christians who think they are doing the Lord’s will when they simply preserve intact what they have been given rather than using it in ways that will enable the faith to grow. The fear of the third servant has led him to opt for security first.

In the context of Old Testament literature, fear of God is a profound awe of the Creator that frees one from the fear of anything or anyone else, and it energizes one to act justly and generously. The first and second servants were acting obediently according to that healthy fear, whereas the third servant was hobbled by a lesser fear – fear of the master’s reprisal if he had invested the talent poorly.

Last week’s parable of the wise and foolish virgins shows us that good intentions are not enough. Next week’s story of the last judgment will remind us to care for the poor and needy. In contrast, today’s nugget describes the terrible punishments which lie in store for those who do not produce new wealth from the talents God has placed in their stewardship.

The three parables in the twenty-fifth chapter of Matthew are about the end times, the end of the world, the end (intent, purpose, and upshot) of our lives. Whatever is given to us—money, talent, opportunity—is meant to bear fruit for the kingdom, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls. It is meant to show others that we don’t simply believe IN Jesus, but that we truly BELIEVE Jesus and the Message that he brings to our hurting world.

As I pondered today’s reading some more, I have to admit that I began to get a bit concerned. You see, the writer says that the trustworthy servants were put “in charge of many things.” And it’s true that the reward for work done well is more  work to do. It’s not about being overworked or always being at the center of  things – it’s about development and growth, not being satisfied with our past successes and considering further effort to be unnecessary. We have to care for one another and not take people for granted. It’s  about a joy in our service, knowing, learning and developing our discipleship. It’s about a desire to share the message of Jesus, the Jesus we believe.

Today’s parable tells us that punishment is for the people who don’t even try. Just because we believe in Jesus doesn’t mean that we get what we want. Just because God is good doesn’t mean that we will be given without working. What right do we have to expect God to provide when we don’t even try? If we don’t try, is it God’s fault that we don’t succeed? Not at all. Is God still good? Of course. Does God love us any less? No way. But God does remind us that trying our best is important!

If one of us has a talent and uses it well, then that person will be able to do progressively more with it. But similarly, if a talent isn’t used well or even at all, it will inevitably die. Think for a second about a beautiful wooden boat on the shore of the sea. It is used day in and day out, cared for over time, and becomes a valuable commodity as the villagers use it to bring in their food. One day, the villagers put the boat on the shore and stop using it. Over time, the boat rots away; it is no longer useful as a boat. It may be useful for other things and for other people, but it will no longer function as a boat to bring the villagers their food.

In looking around for resources for my sermon today, I found a short poem that I would like to share. It is entitled When You Thought I Wasn’t Looking.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you make my favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I heard you say a prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always talk to, and trust.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing, and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don’t.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn’t feel good, and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it’s all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw that you cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I looked at you and wanted to say, “Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn’t looking.”

You see, what is important is to believe the message of Jesus and act accordingly, even if we think no one is looking. It’s critical that each of us understands the importance of the whole people of God, with everyone playing their part to the full. It’s a place where we experience each member of the church valuing one another, accepting that the smallest of gifts is important, and believing that, in their uniqueness, God  has called them to serve.

In today’s parable, we saw three servants. The first and second servants trust in the Lord and venture into ways that will enable the talents, treasure, and faith which has been entrusted to them to grow. The third servant was led to security and contentment with what he had been given because of fear; he was content with simply preserving intact what he had been given. My siblings in Christ, the question for you this week is simple. Which servant are you?