Firstly, please let me say that I am new to the bible and bible study. This is a disclaimer of sorts
When I first read this it confused me. I couldn't figure out why the servant who was frightened and played it safe got to be cast out and 'gnash his teeth'.
Parable in (my) summary:
A rich guy goes off jet-setting to do business and leaves some cash in the hands of 3 of his assistants. One of them does some trading and doubles his money (luck? he could also have lost it in some horrible investment scheme?). Another one does the same. The third guy is scared, he hangs on to the money and returns it to his boss, exactly as he left it. The first 2 guys get rewarded and the 3rd guy gets fired (hence gnashing of teeth).
I know this didn't actually happen, I know it's a parable (it's a lesson), but I still feel really bad for the poor guy who was afraid and therefore cautious with somebody else's money.
Now I've thought about it (and typed it out in my own words), I can see the point (I think), that we should take what we have and use it! But I still feel sorry for the poor guy who's frightened.
Help required
Greetings, Annie. I'm new here and I noticed this thread. Don't know if you are still interested in this question or not, but I noticed you are still active, so I think I'll post a reply for you.
I have written full bible studies on this parable and the surrounding parables, all of which must be taken and interpreted together as part of a cognitive whole, with a common theme.
Let me outline the elements for you first:
"Talents" = spiritual riches, i.e. revelation from God, that the disciples were to "increase in" while the Lord was away. This relates back to the parable back in Matthew 24, particularly Matthew 24:45, and that they were to be providing good spiritual "food" to His household until He returned.
"Each according to his ability" is exactly as other posters have stated. Not everyone has the capacity to be a great Bible scholar or teacher. He simply asks that we grow in the knowledge of his word according to the ability He has given US, not others.
"The one with the 1 talent went and hid it in the ground" = This speaks of someone doing NOTHING with the revelation and insight God had given him. He is supposed to be "trading" with it, or in other words interacting with others over it, whereby he will continue obtaining more from God in the interaction. But instead this guy just does nothing but HIDE the revelation God has given him in the earth. He is either,
A. Cowardly
B. Lazy
C. Disobedient, or
D. Any combination of these three. Hence the judgment that befalls him.
Thus, he eventually comes face to face with a Lord whom he acknowledges is "stern, and reaps where He has not sown," or in other words, the wicked servant acknowledges that the Lord was expecting something of him, a service and a responsibility that rested
squarely on his shoulders (i.e. the responsibility to grow in revelation and understanding from God), and yet he failed to do so.
Thus, the entire parable is essentially an amplification on the principle of, "To him who has, more will be given, and he shall have an abundance. But from him who has not, even what little he has shall be taken from him." It is also an amplification on, "To him whom much is given, much will be expected."
Let me know if you get this, and have any questions.
God Bless,
Hidden