There is food for thought in the repetition of the unprofitable servant's words that he

knew his Lord "reaped where he had not sown". Although the light in which the servant

saw this was wholly false, the fact itself does not appear to be so. The Lord does expect

to reap where He has not sown, namely, through the loving service of His people. They,

however, are only too conscious that this service is only possible "as He works in". The

reward in each case is commensurate with the amount gained. No difference is made in

the case of the one who could say, "I have gained", or the one who said, "Thy pound

hath gained". In each case they are made "rulers", a reward peculiarly given to "him that

overcometh". The words, "made thee ruler" of Matt. 25: 21, and Matt. 24: 45-47, are

the same and emphasize the fact that the parable of the Talents is an expansion of the

shorter parable. The word in Luke 19: 17, "have authority", is echoed in Rev. 2: 26.

The words of Matt. 25: 27 are of great moment. "I should have received mine own

with interest." To this end the Apostle wrote in Titus 2: 10-14, "that they may adorn the

doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. . . . zealous of good works"; or in

I Tim. 6: 18, 19, "that they be rich in good works. . . . laying up in store for

themselves a good foundation against the time to come."  The punishment of the

unprofitable servant is no more severe than that of the one who "sows to the flesh", for

Gal. 6: 8 tells us, "he shall of the flesh reap corruption", or of the one who, building

upon the true foundation that which does not stand the test, suffers loss, and is saved so

as by fire (I Cor. 3:). The unprofitable servant is still a servant, and is differentiated

from "the enemies" in Luke 19: 27.

When we were considering the first parable we saw that the various sowings were

reflections of the various ministries of the Lord and His apostles. There is therefore

every likelihood that in this last parable, with its different talents, the apostles' ministries

are in view. Although various parallels have been drawn between the five talents and the

ministry of Peter, the two talents and that of the twelve, and the one talent and that of the

teaching of the Epistle to the Hebrews, we do not feel that we can do more than mention

them, and refer to leave the subject open.

In thus drawing this series to a close, we feel that the reader who has followed the

articles and studied the passages will be at least clearer in his view as to the two great

subjects of the two sets of parables, and while taking to himself many lessons and

receiving much help, will see that to introduce "the Church" into these parables is to miss

their real testimony.

We purpose (D.5:) taking up another line of study in place of the parables, and hope

later to consider the parables of Luke's Gospels, as we have those of Matthew.

May we receive the application of the teaching of the parable of the talents, and be

enabled to fulfil it in the terms of the Epistle to the Philippians.