The Parable of the Talents found in Matthew 25:14-30 is a parable that teaches significant lessons about work, money, and business. It is a story told by Jesus that speaks of work, investment, and profits. In this parable, there are four main characters: the Master and the Three Servants. The key word in the story is “talents.” However, other Bible versions used different words like gold coins, “dollars,” etc. Therefore, the word “talent,” in this particular context is a sum of money.
What are the basic lessons from this parable – in work and in business?
1. Work Hard
The first and second servants, after they received what has been entrusted to them, “went off right away and put his money to work…” (25:16 New English Translation). Even those who claim that they are earning “passive” income, have gone through hard work at the beginning. There is no such thing as immediate passive income. Putting money to work requires effort, risk, tough decision, and sacrifice.
2. Work Smart
The first servant (received five talents), as well as the second servant (received two talents), gain hundred percent out of the total given capital. “The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more” (Matthew 25:20).
A business that makes a hundred percent profit in a given period of time, and duplicates it consistently is a growing business. Obviously, one cannot have a hundred percent profit without the ability to work smart.
3. Work Faithfully
In verse 23 of the passage, we can read the comment of the master. “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’”
The basic principle of stewardship is embedded in the story. The three servants must be faithful by promptly and efficiently administering what has been entrusted to them.
Hard work and faithfulness are timeless values in the corporate world. The two servants were hardworking and faithful while the third servant was lazy and unfaithful.
The unnamed two servants in the story are tested with their entrepreneurial skills. Although it is not mentioned what methods they used to earn that hundred percent from what has been entrusted to them, their ability to run and grow a business has been proven.
Working hard, working smart, and working with faithfulness are essential values that are not just “religious” in nature but highly valued essentially in the corporate world.