Parable of the Talents

It is like a man going abroad who called his servants and put his capital in their hands.  To one he gave five bags of gold,

Note: These coins were in circulation, in Jerusalem, when Jesus was teaching in parables.  They are not actually Talents.

  (They are used here to visualize five, two and One. )
[ These pictures are the author’s and may be used freely. ]

To another he gave two …

To another he gave one, …

( text continues )

… each according to his capacity.  Then he left the country.   The man who had the five bags went at once and employed them in business and made a profit of five bags, and the man who had two bags made two.  But the man who had been given one bag of gold went off and dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money.  A long time later the master returned and proceeded to settle accounts with them. The man who had been given five bags of gold came and produced the five he had made.  Master,” He said, “You left five bags with me, look, I have made five more.” Well done my good and trusty servant!” said the master.’ You have proved trustworthy in a small way.  I will now put you in charge of something big.  Come and share your master’s delight.”

The man with two bags came and said,” Master, you left two bags with me, look, I have made two more.” “Well done my good and trusty servant! Said the master.  “ You have proved trust-worthy in a small way, I will put you in charge of something big.  Come and share your master’s delight.” 

Then the man who had been give one bag came and said,” Master I know you to be a hard man, you reap where you have not sown, you gather where you have not scattered.  So I was afraid, and I went and hid your gold in the ground.  Here it is—you have what belongs to you.” “You lazy Rascal!” said the master.  “You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered? Then you ought to have put the money on deposit, and on my return I should have got it back with interest.  Take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one with the ten bags. For the man who has will always be given more, till he has enough and to spare, and the man who has not will forfeit even what he has.  Fling the useless servant out into the dark, the place of wailing and grinding of teeth.