The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30)

There is a quote that I have referenced often in my thinking and writing. It is from the Nero Wolfe stories by Rex Stout. In those stories, the detective—Nero Wolfe—is a genius who almost never leaves his house. He instead sends out an employee—Archie—who is a good detective in his own right, to collect clues and interact with suspects. Nero expects Archie to follow instructions, but those instructions are often vague. And on occasion, Archie has had to act on his own. The standing instructions are: “You are to act in light of experience guided by intelligence.” Archie knows Nero’s methods. He has extensive experience on cases with Nero. And, he is capable in his own right.

I like to think of the Disciple’s walk that way. The disciple has experience with the master. The disciple knows what the master is like and how the master thinks. But the disciple has been given a brain (and talents) too. In this parable, we see Jesus telling His disciples that they are—in His absence—to live in light of their experience with Him as guided by their intelligence, giftings, and talents.

In the end, when Jesus says, “to everyone who has, more will be given,” it is much more about having the determination and conviction to act—to live for the Kingdom, and not about any physical thing.

To be a citizen in the Kingdom of Heaven in this “already-not-yet” period is to be active for the Kingdom. It is all about taking initiative and not sitting around for detailed and crystal-clear directions. Faith motivates us towards this while fear paralyzes.