iouae
Well-known member
Suppose you hear a parable like the parable of the talents in Matt 25:14. You may wonder what the point was. A parable makes a comparison, comparing a physical situation with a spiritual principle. Parable is a shortening of comPARABLE.
The first key to understanding a parable is to realise that every parable makes one and only one spiritual point.
So what is the point behind the parable of the talents?
Here is the parable in summary.
A Master entrusts three of his servants with varying amounts of his money (talents) and tells them to occupy themselves doing something with that money while he is gone on a long trip.
Two servants double the master's money, pleasing the master.
One servant is fearful of his Master's attitude if he were to lose his Master's money, and goes and hides the money safely till the Master returns. This displeases the Master.
The only (valid) point this parable is making is that...
1) Bosses are unfair giving varying amounts of money to different servants.
2) Bosses are unfair in criticising employees who are cautious.
3) Bosses like entrepreneurial employees.
4) The employee receiving one talent had a right to feel aggrieved, because the others received five and two talents.
5) God, like any Boss, expects his servants to be productive.
6) Employees cannot be blamed if a Boss goes overseas, not leaving explicit instructions.
7) We should know that all Bosses just are unfair.
8) We should make the most of the talents God gives us.
9) Being cautious with the bosses possessions is right, even if the Boss does not know it.
10) This parable has nothing to do with the relationship between Bosses and employees.
11) Bosses have a right to expect employees to be productive.
12) God is always fair and believes in share and share alike.
13) All of the above.
The second key to understanding a parable is to identify who in the parable represents God, and look at the parable from God's (this person's) perspective.
So which is the correct answer?
The first key to understanding a parable is to realise that every parable makes one and only one spiritual point.
So what is the point behind the parable of the talents?
Here is the parable in summary.
A Master entrusts three of his servants with varying amounts of his money (talents) and tells them to occupy themselves doing something with that money while he is gone on a long trip.
Two servants double the master's money, pleasing the master.
One servant is fearful of his Master's attitude if he were to lose his Master's money, and goes and hides the money safely till the Master returns. This displeases the Master.
The only (valid) point this parable is making is that...
1) Bosses are unfair giving varying amounts of money to different servants.
2) Bosses are unfair in criticising employees who are cautious.
3) Bosses like entrepreneurial employees.
4) The employee receiving one talent had a right to feel aggrieved, because the others received five and two talents.
5) God, like any Boss, expects his servants to be productive.
6) Employees cannot be blamed if a Boss goes overseas, not leaving explicit instructions.
7) We should know that all Bosses just are unfair.
8) We should make the most of the talents God gives us.
9) Being cautious with the bosses possessions is right, even if the Boss does not know it.
10) This parable has nothing to do with the relationship between Bosses and employees.
11) Bosses have a right to expect employees to be productive.
12) God is always fair and believes in share and share alike.
13) All of the above.
The second key to understanding a parable is to identify who in the parable represents God, and look at the parable from God's (this person's) perspective.
So which is the correct answer?
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