re-thinking some of the parables ... No.27
KINGDOM
OF HEAVEN
TALENTS
& POUNDS
Parable in Matthew 25:14-30 ...
followed by parable in Luke 19:12-
In
this parable we understand that the ‘goods’
was actually silver money ... drachma or shekel ... upon which the
Investor expected to receive increase. This parable is expressing to
us the kingdom of heaven and we are well aware that our kingdom
development isn’t dependent upon our monetary achievements nor
our personal abilities in certain directions. So it is not talking
about one’s natural (anointed) ability to be musical, have
great oratory, be a good organizer or any other aspect we have placed
under the heading of ‘ministry’ or talents! Seeing that
the Holy Spirit teaches us all things, what then is Christ wanting to
get through to us with this parable? We must not forget that all such
interpretations or enlightenments must come by revelation from the
Spirit within Who is the Teacher (John 14:26) and not by dictionary
definitions or modern day meaning of the words.
Kingdom of Heaven details released to us with this parable. This ‘man’ who is obviously wealthy, has his own servants whom he trusts implicitly. The word ‘servant’ in the Greek is DOULOS which means a bond-slave ... one bought and therefore fully dedicated to his owner. Always desiring to please His owner and be commended for work well done. Thayers gives this as a part of his definition: ‘devoted to another to the disregard of one’s own interests’.
The picture is that Christ has gone away to a far place (heaven ... the realm of the Spirit and fullness) but has given to His dedicated ones much of Himself. He gave from His goods according to their calling and testimony and His insight into their several abilities to obtain increase.
This great ‘Man’ deposited in His servants eight talents (wherein was resurrection life as a now reality) which were silver which speaks of full redemption. Together they had eight talents but for the time of increase, He divided up those talents so that each of the three servants had a portion of good from the Master directly.
As we have said this is not about finances, nor is it about your ministry however anointed it may be ... nor is it in our powers to increase such — the Lord alone gives the increase in that field. It not being by our might or power but by His Spirit. No instructions were given for the Master had already instilled in His servants what His desires were. The Lord simply wants increase! Right? But where are His plans centered? God’s unchanged purpose is to have His creation (mankind in particular) to grow up into His image and likeness which Adam was given in the beginning and ‘lost’ and which the second Adam (Christ) has restored.
The Man-Master bestowed to His servants from His supply which was in Himself ... namely, His name, nature and character which includes, obviously, forgiveness of others to the point where we can remit their sins; His ‘word’ that contains His intentions and purposes including His timetable and priorities; and His authority and anointing which will express that we are not the tail but a part of the head.
How then to we increase in these areas? Remember this ‘Man’ was not going to do it for He has departed from their scenario!
The first servant (group) received five talanton thus indicating a deep understanding that the grace of God covers all people and all situations. The second received two talanton depicting that he was the witness to all that was happening with them. The third servant received one talanton and had no understanding of how to increase in these donated areas.
You will easily spot these profiting servants in this hour for they will be trading (= working to gain) their testimony of God’s dealings, His control, directions, provision and purposes. You, desiring to increase, will ‘gossip the gospel’ of the Kingdom of God! The testimony and insights of others will be added into your experiences ... maybe with a specific challenge but always with a delight of learning what the Lord is doing in another. One thing is absolutely certain and that is there will never be any fear present in these conversations for their trust is in the Lord within. Any fear present will try to produce an argument!
The Master returned and desired for them to share their experiences of increase ... the first two servants doubled His investment in them. However the third servant did nothing but kept buried His heavenly life in his earth ... a testimony that had no reality in it ... certainly not enough experienced whereby he would desire more.
Before we look at the ‘well done’ commendations, let us look at a similar parable as recorded in Luke 19:12-26. There are some significant differences yet there abides the same principle that God desires us to grasp. We are blessed in this hour for we can see both parables side by side and gain the greater understanding. These servants were trusted with a greater supply for they were allocated pounds in lieu of talents. In the Greek, pound came from the word MINA (or MINæ in the plural) and each MINA was equivalent to a 100 days wages which at any time was a lot of money! This parable brings out the principle that to whom much is given much is required.
In the first parable the Master gave His ‘well done’ and said that each of the first two servants would be rewarded for their faithfulness by being given authority over ‘many things’. This is definitely a promotion for these trusted and dedicated servants i.e. increased responsibility. In the second parable there was a distinct difference from being vague in describing their new calling or responsibilities, to being very precise. Both pairs of faithful servants were commanded to enter into the joy of their lord. In other words enter into experiencing and enjoying all that the Master’s name, nature, purposes and authority gives.
The second parable is more precise for the successful two servants who were faithful in ‘a very little’ (a 100 days wages times 10 was ‘a very little’ ... Wow!) — they were given to rule and reign over ten cities and five cities respectively! That carried about the same contrast as calling all that supply as ‘a little thing’.
As we receive the revelation that we are called to rule and reign with Christ (not all will hear such a call), the vision will not be overwhelming for all this transpires out of a relationship with the Master. The first two in each parable had a relationship with the Man (our Father) and could therefore move forward confidently whereas the third servant in each case did not have that relationship. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne. All fear, concern and doubt (usually created by leaning upon ‘man’ instead of the Spirit) must be fully overcome for each servant that is promoted from the servant realm to the prince realm of ruling. No longer of the servant mentality but of one who rules out of the mind of Christ unaffected by tradition or man’s puny reasoning using the unrevealed ‘letter word’!.
The third servant in each parable remains a servant even losing the effect of his testimony. Such testimony can readily be added into what the first ‘prince’ who rules as a king over the people of God knowing the desire of the King of kings is that all men come to the experiential knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. The ones who experienced marvellous increase came to walk continuously in the light of God’s presence around the throne while the inexperienced remained in the darkness outside (= ignorance) where regret will later be a huge part.
There must be increase in our lives of Father’s nature (name), Father’s purposes and ways (Word) and His full authority ... this adds up to the fullness of faith which He shall definitely find when He unveils Himself. §