Meaning of story in Luke

[Jkuehn]

In Luke 19:12-27, Jesus tells a story of how a servant who made more money (10 pounds) received the money of the servant who had just saved the money and not made any. What is the meaning of this parable?

 

[TheAmazingGrace]

In Luke 19:12-27, Jesus tells a story of how a servant who made more money (10 pounds) received the money of the servant who had just saved the money and not made any. What is the meaning of this parable?

God blesses those who make the best use of their talents and resources.

 

[Curious11]

Best use in the sense of using them for the glory of God and to help others, right?

 

[TheAmazingGrace]

Best use in the sense of using them for the glory of God and to help others, right?

Of course.

 

[fhansen]

We’re to do the very best we can with the gifts we’re given: grace, revelation/knowledge, time, experience, etc. "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. " Luke 12:48

The Parable of the Talents describes this truth well. And, yes, it all has to do with advancing God’s kingdom in some manner or another, within ourselves and within our world.

 

[ThereseFrancis]

There are many interpretations to this. Many interpret it as utilizing our skills or abilities as many have posted above.

There is another perspective that the talents symbolize the mercy of God. How the mercy given to us must shared. Bishop Barron makes a case for this. Here’s a good summary: The Parable of the Talents - Word on Fire

Another interpretation, which I like the most, is that the third servant was actually the hero. It is important to note that in Luke’s account, Jesus’ entry to Jerusalem is exactly preceded by this parable. Furthermore, Jesus told this parable because the crowd thought ‘that the kingdom of God would appear there (Jerusalem) immediately.’

If you would notice, the third servant told the truth about the nobleman when he said, ‘You take up what you did not lay down and you harvest what you did not plant.’ The master then confirmed that he is like how the servant described him. The master then condemned the servant.

It shows that the one who speaks the truth gets condemned. The materialistic and wordly nobleman (take note: this nobleman was said to be despised of at the beginning of the parable), at the end of the parable, kills all those who does accept him as king.

This is an important message before Christ enters Jerusalem. For all the prophets, including John the Baptist, has been killed for speaking out the Truth. The same fate for Jesus. The same for us all who are persecuted for speaking the Truth. The same fate for us all who does not bow down to the ‘kings’ of material and worldly wealth and power. It is the fate of us all who bow down only to the true and eternal King.

While the world does not accept the truth, and our fate in the world is such, we continue to proclaim the Truth. By doing so, we become the salt of the earth, and light of the world. By doing so, we become martyrs - the seed of faith. By doing so, we become blessed and inherit the Kingdom of God.

 

[RKS89]

That’s my favorite interpretation as well. Especially framed against the entry into Jerusalem and, of course, Pilate’s question: “What is truth?”

 

[Gorgias]

In Luke 19:12-27, Jesus tells a story of how a servant who made more money (10 pounds) received the money of the servant who had just saved the money and not made any. What is the meaning of this parable?

A couple of thoughts: first, it’s not “ten pounds”. The whole point of the story is that even the guy who only gets one talent is getting an enormous sum of money (we’re talking on the order of decades of annual income).

Second, the third guy did absolutely nothing with the money. Literally, he buried it in the ground. (Some commentators note that burying it in the ground would protect him from legal responsibility in case it was stolen.) In other words, he wants nothing to do with his master’s gift.

Finally, we see that the other guys, when they apply the money to an endeavor, uniformly double what they’ve received.

The moral is that we are given gifts by God, but in receiving these gifts, we take on responsibility. If we’re unwilling to accept that responsibility and want nothing to do with the gift, then God is willing to take the gift back.

What’s the gift? It’s somewhat open to interpretation. However, I don’t think it’s unrealistic to opine that grace – which opens the door to salvation – is a reasonable interpretation. If we don’t respond to that grace, then the offer of salvation is at risk…

 

[pianistclare]

^^^^ Best answer. Remember that those who convert at the end of their lives still experience TRUE conversion, and redemption.
This is especially a timely message as the boards are kind of overflowing with “so and so is not worthy to be a EMHC”, or “those kids wore jeans to Mass”, “or my priest isn’t orthodox enough!” Or my personal favorite “I hate my Choir DIrector!”.

All unnecessary judgments, Christ knows our hearts. And He gives the rewards as HE sees fit, not us.

 

[Curious11]

But why would God punish a servant and call him wicked for speaking the truth? Jesus said the world would punish christians for speaking the truth, not God

 

[ThereseFrancis]

Yes. Exactly. You misunderstood the noblemam here to be allegorically representing God. In this interpretation, the nobleman represents the material and worldly powers.

 

[Hereiam]

But why would God punish a servant and call him wicked for speaking the truth? Jesus said the world would punish christians for speaking the truth, not God

If I understand you correctly (and maybe I don’t!) the logic is a little off…its like saying if someone murdered someone else, and pled guilty to the crime, the murder was not evil because he told the truth about it.

 

[Curious11]

But Jesus said: the kingdom of heaven is as… and then tells the parable. Why would Jesus say the kingdom of heaven is like an ungodly person punishing a servant that stays loyal to God?

And what truth does the servant say? He only says “I know you’re a man who harvests where he did not work”, in summary, he only describes qualities of the master who you say does not represent God. How then is he good? What truth did he say that is getting him punished?

 

[thistle]

In Luke 19:12-27, Jesus tells a story of how a servant who made more money (10 pounds) received the money of the servant who had just saved the money and not made any. What is the meaning of this parable?

D-R Bible, Haydock Commentary:

Ver. 12. This parable is an exact prophetic history of what happened to Archelaus Antipas, son of Herod the great, about thirty-six years afterwards. Judea being then tributary, he was obliged to go to Rome to receive his kingdom from the hands of the emperor Augustus. The Jews, who hated him for his cruelty, sent an embassy to the emperor, to accuse him of many crimes, and disappoint him in his hopes of gaining his crown. But Augustus confirmed it to him, and sent him back to reign in Judea, where he revenged himself on those who had opposed his pretensions. With regard to the instruction, which is meant to be conveyed by this parable; this nobleman is the Son of God, who came among the Jews to take possession of the kingdom, which was his due. But being rejected and treated unworthily, and even put to a disgraceful death on the cross, he will one day come again, armed with vengeance, and inflict the effects of his anger upon them. This was partly fulfilled at the destruction of Jerusalem, and will be completed at the general judgment. (Calmet) (Bible de Vence)

 

[Gorgias]

But why would God punish a servant and call him wicked for speaking the truth?

Yes. Exactly. You misunderstood the noblemam here

No. You’re seeing the part about “the servant correctly understands his master”, but missing the implication that “although he understood his master, he nevertheless did not act in accord with his correct understanding.” The punishment isn’t unjust, because it’s not a punishment for correct understanding – it’s a punishment for inaction.