It will be as when a man who was going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. 15 To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one—to each according to his ability. Then he went away. Immediately 16 the one who received five talents went and traded with them, and made another five. 17 Likewise, the one who received two made another two. 18 But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried his master’s money. 19 After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them. 20 The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the additional five. He said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’ 22 [Then] the one who had received two talents also came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two talents. See, I have made two more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’ 24 Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a demanding person, harvesting where you did not plant and gathering where you did not scatter; 25 so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground. Here it is back.’ 26 His master said to him in reply, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant and gather where I did not scatter? 27 Should you not then have put my money in the bank so that I could have got it back with interest on my return? 28 Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten. 29 For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’
This passage tells the story of a man going on a journey who entrusted his possessions to his servants. To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to a third one—each according to his ability (vv. 14-15). He then went away.
The first servant, who received five talents, traded with them and gained another five (vv. 16-17). The second servant, who received two talents, made two more (v.17). When the master returned after a long time, he settled accounts with the servants (v.19).
The master praised the first two servants: “Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy” (vv. 21,23). Both had invested their gifts and produced fruit.
The third servant, however, buried his talent out of fear, saying he was afraid because the master was demanding (vv. 24-25). The master called him “wicked, lazy” (v.26) and explained that even putting the money in the bank would have produced some return. The master then took the talent from him, gave it to the servant with ten, and cast him into the outer darkness, where there would be wailing and grinding of teeth (vv. 28-30).
This parable teaches that God entrusts each of us with gifts—our abilities, resources, opportunities, and responsibilities—and asks us to use them for His purposes, which are always meant for our ultimate good and the good of others. The “talents” were money, but spiritually they represent anything good that God gives us: our abilities, opportunities, possessions, or even simple acts of kindness. These are meant to be used to serve God and help others. Each servant received a different amount according to their capacity. God measures faithfulness, not the size of the gift. What matters is whether we invest what we have, no matter how small it seems.
The story shows that faithful use of what God gives leads to growth, responsibility, and joy (vv. 21,23). In contrast, fear, laziness, or inaction leads to loss and separation from God (vv. 28-30). St. John Chrysostom (c.347-407) notes that this parable calls us to active effort: courage and diligence in daily life reflect love for God, while laziness and fear reflect the danger of spiritual stagnation.
Today, the message is clear. We are entrusted with time, skills, and resources. God invites us to act, grow what He gives, and serve others. Even small, faithful acts produce fruit. Hiding what God has given us denies both Him and ourselves the joy of fruitfulness. We are called to use our gifts wisely, investing them in ways that honor God and benefit others.
By faithful action, we prepare for God’s return—not in fear, but in hope, ready to hear His words: “Well done, my good and faithful servant. Come, share your master’s joy” (vv. 21,23).
Lord, help us to recognize the gifts You place in our hands. Give us courage to use them wisely and faithfully, to serve others, and to grow Your kingdom. May our efforts, however small, bring joy to Your heart and draw us closer to You. Amen.
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Sources and References:
- The Holy Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition (2011), Mt. 25:14-30.
- A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture, ed. Bernard Orchard et al. (1953), pp. 1111-1112.
- The Navarre Bible: Matthew, Faculty of the University of Navarre (2008), pp. 480-482.
- The Paulist Biblical Commentary, ed. José Enrique Aguilar Chiu et al. (2018), pp. 571-573.
- St. John Chrysostom, Homilies on Matthew, c. 390.
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