Abstract
M.A.
Matthew 25:14-30 is often used by Christian speakers to motivate people and
challenge them to personal growth and development in a secular environment.
Jesus uses economics to articulate the parable but although the Parable of the
Talents involves money, and might profoundly have an impact upon how people
see and do economics, it is about far more than just money (Dipboye, 1995:507).
Traditionally, Matthew 25:14-30 is interpreted from an eschatological perspective
and the subsequent responsibility towards the gifts received and the Kingdom of
God. The parable is understood to converse living in an active and responsible
manner, while awaiting the end of time. This implies doing good by using the gifts
and opportunities that God gives, as also indicated in the parable of the wicked
and faithful slaves found in Matthew 24:45-5 (Senior, 1998:279).
The unfaithful servant and his subsequent punishment are mostly interpreted as
a warning to Christians who neglects their talents. Interpretations of the Parable
of the Talents are traditionally more inclined towards a spiritual exercise with a
subsequent eschatological accountability. Senior (1998:279) for instance says:
“Matthew’s story is not simply an exhortation to develop one’s talents in the
manner of a self-development program - an interpretation often attached to this
story (even the English word “talent” derives from this parable).
However, there is an inclination to interpret the parable allegorically as well in its
present form (Harrington, 1991:353). These allegorical alternatives includes
physical and natural gifts and abilities, faculties of mind, and of body, position,
influence, money, education, and every earthly advantage and blessing (Lenski,
1049:973). Christians are part of a secular environment, where natural and
physical abilities are requirements for being productive and competitive.
Christians cannot exclude and barricade themselves from a secular environment
or be treated differently or exclusively. While Christians concentrate on their
spiritual growth and development, physical abilities and talents are also to be
multiplied and can be constituted as personal growth and development.
However, this is not just a spiritual process, but also implies human efforts and
self-responsibilities, as illustrated by Bruner’s (1990:557) observation: “Shouldn’t
the servant have been more modest or Christ-centered and have said something
like, “Look what you did through me,” instead of “Look I made…?” Southgate et
al. (1999:53) underlines the fact that Christians have a tendency to pray and
expect Divine intervention centred upon the action of God, hence any genuine
hope of transformation must be grounded in something more than human
resources alone.