Learn from the Illustration of the Talents

A WICKED AND LAZY SLAVE

The parable also mentions the slave who had one talent. He did not use it to make more money for his master  or put it in the bank to earn interest. Instead, he buried the money.  The master said that the slave was wicked and lazy. He took the talent away from the wicked slave and gave it to the first slave. Then he threw the wicked slave out  "into the darkness," and there the slave cried in despair. -Matthew 25:24-30; Luke 19:22, 23. 

When Jesus said that one of the three slaves was wicked and lazy, he  did not mean that one third of the anointed ones would be like that slave. We know this by comparing this parable with two others.  In the parable of the faithful and discreet slave, Jesus mentioned an evil slave who persecuted the other slaves.  Jesus did not mean that those who are a part of the faithful and discreet slave would become evil. Instead, he was warning those anointed  ones that they should  not become like the evil slave. Then, in the parable of the ten virgins, Jesus mentioned  five foolish virgins .  He was not saying that half of those who are anointed would be foolish.  Instead, Jesus was warning about what would happen if they were not prepared and watchful.  Similarly, in the parable of the talents, Jesus was not saying that many of the anointed ones during the last days would be wicked and lazy.  No, he was warning the anointed ones not to become like a wicked slave but to continue working hard in the preaching work. -Matthew 25:16. 

What two lessons do we learn from the parable of the talents?  First, Jesus gave his anointed disciples a precious treasure, the important responsibility  to preach and make disciples. Second, Jesus expects  all of us to work  hard in the preaching work.  If we endure faithfully in this work and remain obedient and loyal to Jesus, we can be sure that he will reward us.  -Matthew 25:21, 23, 34.  

Next time: Loyally  Supporting Christ's Brothers

From the Watchtower magazine, 2015