On Holy Week Tuesday Jesus teaches the disciples on the Mount of Olives (a.k.a. “the Olivet Discourse”) and concludes his instruction with three parables recorded in Matthew 25. On the “parable of the talents” recorded in Matthew 25:14-30, John Chrysostom offers these comments in his ancient commentary.
“Let us, therefore, knowing these things, contribute whatever we have–wealth, diligence, or caregiving–for our neighbor’s advantage. For the talents here are each person’s abilities, whether in the way of protection, or in money, or in teaching, or in whatever thing you have been given. Let no one say, “I have but one talent and can do nothing with it.” You are not poorer than the widow. You are not more uninstructed than Peter and John, who were both “unlearned and ignorant men” (Acts 4:13)…
For this end God gave us speech, and hands, and feet, and strength of body and mind and understanding, that we might use all these things both for our own salvation and for our neighbor’s advantage. Our speech is not only useful for hymns and thanksgiving, but it is profitable also for instruction and admonition. And if indeed we use it to this end, we should be imitating our Master; but if for the opposite ends, the devil.”
John Chrysostom (c. 349-407) in The Gospel of Matthew, Homily 78.3, as recounted in Ancient Christian Commentary on the Scriptures: Matthew 14-28, Vol. Ib, ed. Manlio Simonetti (Downers Grove: IVP, 2002) 228.
In this parable, Jesus states plainly that faithful stewards put the Master’s resources to work and enter the joy of the Lord, while the unfaithful stewards do not and are banished to the place of weeping and gnashing of teeth. This has led some (wrongly!) to conclude that good works can earn eternal salvation. So what our Master trying to teach us?
Chrysostom nails it. As we obey our Master, we both work out our own salvation (cf. Philippians 2:12-15) and serve as conduits of blessing to those around us, namely, our neighbors. In plain terms, “we figure it out as we go,” and there’s no excuse because even unlearned blokes like Peter and John sorted it, not by their brilliance, but rather humble obedience.
What about you? Are you using your talents for your own salvation and your neighbor’s advantage? If not Chrysostom and I would urge you to assess which Master you are serving. Why? Chyrsostom concludes with these words highlighting the eternal implications to our response:
“As we have opportunity, let us work to cooperate with our salvation. Let us get oil for our lamps. Let us labor to add to our talent. For if we are backward and spend our time in sloth here, no one will pity us any more hereafter, though we should wail ten thousand times…Remember the virgins who again entreated and came to him and knocked, all in vain and without effect (cf. Matthew 25:1-13).”