Why not fair?

2404

2404

It is a scriptural principle that to whom that has more shall be given and to whom that does not have even that which they think they have shall be taken away.
Or even in the case of the parable of the ten talents. Why was the reclaimed talent given to him that had the most instead of evening things out?
 
I believe that this issue of the ten talents was discussed last week and the conclusion regarding it was that the talents represented the span of time, gifts, and blessings that we are given while on this earth. An astute individual on this site concluded that why should the individual who makes no effort at all to further the glory of God on Earth with the resources and gifts they are are blessed with, be given the same reward as the person who does as much as possible with what they are given. We must remember that it is a parable and perhaps the problem is that we are taking the elements of the story too literally, namely the talents which equate to money. The argument is that why should the servant that played it safe and did nothing with the talents lose everything for what on the surface appears as loyalty. We may be missing the point that the writer was attempting to make which is that spiritual laziness is not rewarded. Remember when Jesus said that those who try to save their lives will lose them? This is the same thing being taught, but using different elements to tell the story. I think that the problem with parables in general is that if the writer doesn't select a parallel situation that perfectly reflects the point that they are trying to make, things can get confused or lost in the attempted comparison. I believe that the story of the ten talents is simply a case of a weak comparison and we end up being confused instead of being edified. Once we understand that the talents do not represent money, but represent God's blessings and gifts to us to use within our lifetime, and that the story is about what we do with these gifts, then it seems to make the parable quite clear and takes the whole issue of fairness off the table.
 
2404 said:
It is a scriptural principle that to whom that has more shall be given and to whom that does not have even that which they think they have shall be taken away.
Click to expand...

I think something to remember with this verse is that the reason why those who have will receive more is because they have taken the time to put the Word into their hearts (inner man/spirits) in abundance and have put it into action (become doers of the Word and not just hearers only (James 1:22). They have become good ground (Matthew 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-20, and Luke 8:1-15.... parable of the sower).

But those who have what little they have taken away is because they do nothing to retain the Word, and impliment it into their lives... thus the devil has access to steal what little they had.

The apostle Paul wrote to Timothy about fighting the good fight of faith. If we choose to not fight to keep (which is what many passages like proverbs 4:23, are meaning) the Word active in us, and consistently act upon Romans 12:2...which is renewing the mind to the Word... we will loose what we have placed in us, because the enemy will steal it, as we also see in the parable of the sower.

Jesus us already conquered sin and death and All other curses.. but we have to fight to hang onto them. This is why the Bible says resist the enemy and he will (has no choice) flee from you. We must resist the temptation to do wrong and follow the world's ways. This is our part of sacrifice and suffering.

Blessings my friend
 
Hi, 2404.

I take the position that the talents referred to in the parable are the true riches of Revelation from God, and that those who grow in their ability to receive increasing instruction from the lord will continue to receive more and more and more. As Isaiah taught, the knowledge of God comes line upon line, precept upon precept, and here a little there a little. Thus, to him who has shall more be given, but to him who has not shall that be taken away what little he has.
 
2404 said:
It is a scriptural principle that to whom that has more shall be given and to whom that does not have even that which they think they have shall be taken away.
Or even in the case of the parable of the ten talents. Why was the reclaimed talent given to him that had the most instead of evening things out?
Click to expand...
wow great question

i believe like others have said, this parable is talking about the talents/gifts/opportunities/etc God gives us to use to His glory

LOSE IT OR USE IT
those who don't/won't use God's talents/gifts/opportunities will lose their T/G/O - iow, use it or lose it

and it's interesting to note that those who buried their talents did it due to a bad attitude toward God

they KNEW God gave them talents and expected them to do something with those talents -they refused and called God hard/unfair/unethical.

that's a lie - God isn't hard - he's fair/merciful/loving/kind/patient/forgiving

so this disrespectful/rebellious/wicked person who buried the talents God gave him lost everything God gave him

LEARNERS/SEEKERS
please note that this wicked servant had a bad attitude toward God and is nothing like a God-lover who maybe has not quite caught on to what God wants him to do with the talents God gave him

God is patient/loving/kind/merciful/forgiving to all who are still learning how to find out and do what pleases God, properly using the talents God gave them


FAITHFUL/DILIGENT
those who are faithfully/diligently using God's T/G/O to glorify God and help others connect to our wonderful God, will be given more T/G/O.

why was the one with 10 talents given more?

imo it was because he was the most successful at multiplying everything God gave him

so this parable inspires me to lovingly give/do my best for God and it will FOR SURE be rewarded

here is the complete parable:

Matthew 25:14-30 New King James Version (NKJV)
The Parable of the Talents
14 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ 21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’

26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.

29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
 
Thank you for the answers given.

But I'm still unsure about one thing.. why was the portion of the wicked/lazy servant given to the one with 10 talents?

Brother Truthfrees said it's because he was most successful at multiplying what God had given. But both the 10 n the 4 talents doubled their initial amounts.

In terms of ratio, they both produced the same amount. So why not give to the servant with 4 talents since he had less?
 
From Pieces To Peace said:
Thank you for the answers given.

But I'm still unsure about one thing.. why was the portion of the wicked/lazy servant given to the one with 10 talents?

Brother Truthfrees said it's because he was most successful at multiplying what God had given. But both the 10 n the 4 talents doubled their initial amounts.

In terms of ratio, they both produced the same amount. So why not give to the servant with 4 talents since he had less?
Click to expand...
i think Matthew 25:15 is the answer: 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability;

iow, God knows all things, and knows who has the ability/boldness/drive/commitment to do the most

Matthew 25:16 indicates the guy with 5 went trading - but what did the guy with 2 do?

verse 17 says likewise, but does it mean likewise he traded, or likewise he multiplied the talents?

perhaps God gave the guy 2 talents because he was not as aggressive/persistent/bold as the 5 talent guy

perhaps the 5 talent guy had traded before and was good at it

perhaps the 2 talent guy had never traded before and this was his first time

i'm just guessing as to why God felt the 5 talent guy had more ability than the 2 talent guy

this is my 2 cents, but would love to hear what others say
 
From Pieces To Peace said:
Thank you for the answers given.

But I'm still unsure about one thing.. why was the portion of the wicked/lazy servant given to the one with 10 talents?

Brother Truthfrees said it's because he was most successful at multiplying what God had given. But both the 10 n the 4 talents doubled their initial amounts.

In terms of ratio, they both produced the same amount. So why not give to the servant with 4 talents since he had less?
Click to expand...
another thought which may not be the best example but:

what if the 5 talent guy was like a father who traded big money on a trading floor and the 2 talent guy was like a kid with his lemonade stand

both can double their money, but a kid does not have the ability to trade on a trading floor and the father has too much ability to sell lemonade
 
Truthfrees said:
i think Matthew 25:15 is the answer: 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability;

iow, God knows all things, and knows who has the ability/boldness/drive/commitment to do the most

Matthew 25:16 indicates the guy with 5 went trading - but what did the guy with 2 do?

verse 17 says likewise, but does it mean likewise he traded, or likewise he multiplied the talents?

perhaps God gave the guy 2 talents because he was not as aggressive/persistent/bold as the 5 talent guy

perhaps the 5 talent guy had traded before and was good at it

perhaps the 2 talent guy had never traded before and this was his first time

i'm just guessing as to why God felt the 5 talent guy had more ability than the 2 talent guy

this is my 2 cents, but would love to hear what others say
Click to expand...

I have to agree with you... and find that the Word gives us the answer... the gentleman who received 5 talents, God knew he was responsible enough to do good things with them. The man with the two talents was capable, but not as much as the man that got 5. The gentleman who got one was on a trial basis... lol

Blessings
 
Cturtle said:
I have to agree with you... and find that the Word gives us the answer... the gentleman who received 5 talents, God knew he was responsible enough to do good things with them. The man with the two talents was capable, but not as much as the man that got 5. The gentleman who got one was on a trial basis... lol

Blessings
Click to expand...
amen

imo, God knew the 1 talent guy had a bad attitude and was going to be wicked about the 1 talent

yet God in His mercy gave the guy a chance anyway

isn't that just like our God to be good to everyone and give everyone a chance to succeed?
 
Thank you Truthfrees n Cturtle I think I understand now.

I always thought doubling the lesser amount would be the harder task but I was wrong. Much easier to work and make 10 dollars into 20.. than to make 1000 into 2000. Larger the amount, more skill required and more risk involved..

And of course God is never unjust, so the extra talent was given to the 10 because God knew he could handle it. It was probably too much for the 4. Wow, thanks a lot guys! (y)
 
The way I see it,
It doesn't matter to me why, what does matter to me is not being the one it was taken away from.

Scripture talks about
Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!

Interesting there is a wide gap of reaping in this Fertile Soil.
I believe this gap is directly connected to our faith development.

We all know or should know there will be time of standing during this good fight of faith.
(Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand)

Ok so like FCJ, what's this have to do with it?

I liken Standing on God's Word As Out Lasting The devil. Another words , he that is our enemy is ever working 24/7/365 to keep us from seeing ANY kind of victory.

That is when we must stand firm in God's word and fight our fight.
Rock Solid Unwavering Faith reaps 100 plus fold and so on.

The way I see it,
I am striving for the 100 fold and not being the guy who is not mindful of understanding the Ways Of God.

Blessings
FCJ
 
From Pieces To Peace said:
I always thought doubling the lesser amount would be the harder task but I was wrong. Much easier to work and make 10 dollars into 20.. than to make 1000 into 2000. Larger the amount, more skill required and more risk involved..
Click to expand...

No Sir,
It's not about the difficulty of the amount
It's about Your Love and Trust and Understanding of God's Ways.

Replace the money with the depth and understanding of God's word.
Some retain little and do little with it because their heart is not 100% into God and His Word.

Then some retain more but still have not a heart totally dedicated to God and His Word.

Then some Pig Out big time on God's word and ways. Their Spirit man makes the hulk look like a sissy. They Are Doers Of His Word. They Reap what is written and promised to us.

Does this give you a little different take on it?
Blessings Brother
FCJ
 
Fish Catcher Jim said:
No Sir,
It's not about the difficulty of the amount
It's about Your Love and Trust and Understanding of God's Ways.

Replace the money with the depth and understanding of God's word.
Some retain little and do little with it because their heart is not 100% into God and His Word.

Then some retain more but still have not a heart totally dedicated to God and His Word.

Then some Pig Out big time on God's word and ways. Their Spirit man makes the hulk look like a sissy. They Are Doers Of His Word. They Reap what is written and promised to us.

Does this give you a little different take on it?
Blessings Brother
FCJ
Click to expand...

I'll be honest and say, No Jim I don't quite get it. If I were to deduce that the guy with 2 talents was someone whose heart was not totally dedicated to God, I'd expect God's reply to the 5 n the 2 to be at least a little different.

But the reply is exactly the same. Well done faithful servant, u were faithful over little now you will be ruler over many things.

My conclusion would be, they had different capacities. But same amount of commitment to the Master.

Feel free to correct me brother :)
 
From Pieces To Peace said:
I'll be honest and say, No Jim I don't quite get it. If I were to deduce that the guy with 2 talents was someone whose heart was not totally dedicated to God, I'd expect God's reply to the 5 n the 2 to be at least a little different.

But the reply is exactly the same. Well done faithful servant, u were faithful over little now you will be ruler over many things.

My conclusion would be, they had different capacities. But same amount of commitment to the Master.

Feel free to correct me brother :)
Click to expand...
i see it that way also - same degree of commitment - different capabilities - earns them both the same commendation from God

and if we are talking 30/60/100 fold i think that means 30% /60% /100% increase

this means both the 2 and 5 talent guy would be hundred fold/100% increase kind of people

because both doubled their talents

i believe doubling your money is called 100% increase in the business world

thanks to Fish Catcher Jim for that awesome scripture
 
Fish Catcher Jim said:
The way I see it,
It doesn't matter to me why, what does matter to me is not being the one it was taken away from.

Scripture talks about
Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!

Interesting there is a wide gap of reaping in this Fertile Soil.
I believe this gap is directly connected to our faith development.

We all know or should know there will be time of standing during this good fight of faith.
(Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand)

Ok so like FCJ, what's this have to do with it?

I liken Standing on God's Word As Out Lasting The devil. Another words , he that is our enemy is ever working 24/7/365 to keep us from seeing ANY kind of victory.

That is when we must stand firm in God's word and fight our fight.
Rock Solid Unwavering Faith reaps 100 plus fold and so on.

The way I see it,
I am striving for the 100 fold and not being the guy who is not mindful of understanding the Ways Of God.

Blessings
FCJ
Click to expand...
awesome post

well said
 
Truthfrees said:
i see it that way also - same degree of commitment - different capabilities - earns them both the same commendation from God

and if we are talking 30/60/100 fold i think that means 30% /60% /100% increase

this means both the 2 and 5 talent guy would be hundred fold/100% increase kind of people

because both doubled their talents

i believe doubling your money is called 100% increase in the business world

thanks to Fish Catcher Jim for that awesome scripture
Click to expand...
and actually this 100 fold/100% increase factor shows me again the goodness of our God

God gave each one an amount HE knew they could double

iow, he was trying to give each of them a chance to be 100 fold/100% increase kind of people

isn't that amazing how God gave 1 talent to the wicked guy because doubling 1 talent would not have been very hard to do

it was only his wickedness that caused him to fail at such an easy task

and the good hearts/attitudes of the 2 and 5 talent guy caused them both to use their abilities to double what they had

iow, if God had given the 2 talent guy 5 talents, he might not have had the maturity/experience/ability to double it - meaning he would not have had a 100 fold/100% increase result

this really blesses me to think God wants all of us to be 100% increase kind of people

God actually sets us all up to be 100% increase kind of people

and only those with wicked intent will fail

the rest of us will succeed because we love God and God is merciful toward each of us at what ever maturity/experience/ability level we each have attained

so as Fish Catcher Jim and From Pieces To Peace the level of commitment is what counts

and imo our abilities come from God, and i also believe our level of commitment is also a gift from God - just as God gives to every man a measure of faith

how much of what is good/successful about us is us?

is not all our good really a gift from God?

and only wickedness toward God causes anyone to fail?

Praise God for his undeserved love/mercy/benevolence toward us

there is hope for all of us because God has no favorites

i'm seeing that God gives good gifts to all of us, and all we need to do is receive it by faith and watch God's grace make it all succeed

all we need to do is believe God, trust His goodness, and watch Him do the battle so we can have the victory
 
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