This parable is part of what Luther called a “terrifying” Gospel. It is found in Matthew 25: 14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants[a] and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents,[b] to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.[c] You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
’We do not preach the doctrine of punishment and reward. Reward is guaranteed by the cross and resurrection. Our faith is a gift, our baptism is God’s stamp of approval upon us because of what Jesus did for us. Our life in Christ is secure. Somehow it seems to me in my preaching I need to let it be known that part of the happiness of our life does come from obedience to Christ. The enjoyment of a destiny that God wants us to have with him is dependent upon the character we take out of this life with us. That character is formed by the extent of our obedience to Christ and loving self-sacrifice for others. God rewards the faithful servant. The reward is a closer conformity to the character of Christ which is itself the height of happiness. God’s rewards are still the products of his grace. Using the parable of the talents we see that the rewards God gives for faithfulness is increased responsibility toward God and toward our neighbors.
Thank you for this thought provoking message, Pastor. I go with the view that part of the happiness in life comes from obedience to our Lord Jesus, who did everything for us.