Being ready
The Talents
Also called The Bags of Gold
Three servants are given money to manage. Two invest it. One buries his in the ground.
What it turns on
The third servant explains himself by describing his master as harsh. Fear is his reason.
14“For it is like a man, going into another country, who called his own servants, and entrusted his goods to them.
15To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each according to his own ability. Then he went on his journey.
16Immediately he who received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.
17In the same way, he also who got the two gained another two.
18But he who received the one talent went away and dug in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.
19“Now after a long time the lord of those servants came, and reconciled accounts with them.
20He who received the five talents came and brought another five talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents. Behold, I have gained another five talents in addition to them.’
21“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
22“He also who got the two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents. Behold, I have gained another two talents in addition to them.’
23“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
24“He also who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you that you are a hard man, reaping where you didn’t sow, and gathering where you didn’t scatter.
25I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the earth. Behold, you have what is yours.’
26“But his lord answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant. You knew that I reap where I didn’t sow, and gather where I didn’t scatter.
27You ought therefore to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back my own with interest.
28Take away therefore the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents.
29For to everyone who has will be given, and he will have abundance, but from him who doesn’t have, even that which he has will be taken away.
30Throw out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
World English Bible, public domain. Read the whole chapter →
More on being ready
The Sheep and the GoatsNations are divided by what they did for the hungry, the sick, the imprisoned.The Ten VirginsTen wait for a bridegroom. Five brought extra oil. Five did not, and the door closes.The Ten MinasA nobleman leaves money with ten servants before traveling to be made king.The Watchful ServantsServants keep their lamps burning, waiting for a master who returns at an unknown hour.