Learn From the Illustration of the Talents

"He gave five talents to one, two to another ans one to still another." -MATTHEW 25:15.

JESUS  told the parable of the talents to make clear to his anointed followers what their responsibility is. But that parable affects all of Jesus' disciples. So whether we have the hope of living in heaven or on earth, we need to understand the meaning of this parable. 

When did Jesus tell the parable?  It was while he was giving his disciples a sign that would show that he had become King and that the time of the end had begun.  (Matthew 24:3) So the parable of the talents is part of the sign and is being  fulfilled in our time.

When Jesus told the parable of the talents, he told three other parables that were also part of the sign of the time of the end. All these parables describe specific qualities that his followers must have. We can read these parables at Matthew 24:45 to 25:46. The first parable is about the faithful slave, the small group of anointed ones who have the responsibility to teach Jehovah's people.  They need to be faithful and discreet." The following parable is about the ten virgins. In it, Jesus warned all the anointed ones that they would need to be prepared and watchful because they would not know the day or the hour when he would come. Next, Jesus told the parable of the talents to teach all the anointed ones that they would need to work hard in caring for their Christian responsibilities.  Then, Jesus told the parable of the sheep and the goats, which focuses on those who would have the hope of living on earth. He emphasized that they must  be loyal and do all they can to help his anointed brothers.  This article will explain the meaning of the parable of the talents. 

Next time: Learn From the Illustration of the Talents - A MAN GIVES  HIS SLAVES A LOT OF MONEY 

From the Watchtower magazine, 2015