November 15, 2026,
Proverbs 31: 1-13, 19-20, 30-31+ Psalm 128 + First Thessalonians 5: 1-6 + Matthew 25: 14-30
We listen to this parable and usually give most of our attention to the servants rather than to the man who is going on a journey. When first spoken by Jesus, the focus was on that man who distributed talents, and Jesus told the story to reveal something about the Father. When those earliest followers of Jesus shared, it the “man” was Jesus who had gone away entrusting them with the Good News. Now, we hear the parable with a choice. Shall we imitate the generous man who trusts others, or shall we pay attention to the servants and imitate them? Either way, there is plenty for us to ponder here.
Whether we hear this parable as revelation about God or hear it about Jesus who will come again, the point is there will be an accounting. There is some expectation on the part of God or Jesus that those who have been trusted will have something to show for that trust.
People who imitate the “man” in this story are people who risk imitating the unrestrained generosity of the God who has put so much in our hands. In terms of the details in this story, each “talent” Matthew mentions equaled about 20 years’ wages. It was a lot. We should not feel sorry for the servant who only gets one. This owner is not only wealthy, but he is also extravagant in his trust.
These servants trust that the owner understands the risks and will stay with them through it all. They realize that the man has taken a risk entrusting them with his possessions, and they appreciate and believe that risk-taking is something he understands.
The common thread that unites the owner and the two who enjoy his pleasure at the end is risk. The failure of that third servant is that he will risk nothing and gains nothing. In human terms, God is a risk taker. God risked his only son by sending him among us to see what we would do with what he has given us. Like the Father who sent him, Jesus risked his whole mission by entrusting it to those twelve and those of us who followed them. They, in turn, risked the message and the mission by entrusting us with the future of God’s Kingdom. Fearful, grim, cautious people who avoid any risk will never be worthy of the gifts we have received in such abundance.
Those two successful servants gave the owner the highest compliment possible by imitating him. It can be no different for us. Each of us in this holy place have been entrusted generously with probably more gifts than we ever need, and if we have any hope at all of receiving the finest and best gift when the master returns, we had better put them to use.