Living in coronavirusworld 205: Parable of the talents

 

11/10

and we did......

Walking through the neighborhood seeing the election signs.  The ATLAH Christians still seeming to back Trump and dis Biden.

 And ripping gentrification.  We are learning to breathe again but our struggle is far from over.

Tonight’s Bible study focuses on Matthew 25: 14-30. It’s the well known parable of the talents where a man goes away and gives each of his slaves a portion of his wealth. (Each according to their “ability.”) Two out fo the three double their money, the third keeps it safe. When the master (finally) comes back, the first two are rewarded and the third has his taken away and given to the one  who has the most. Not only that, he gets roundly derided and sent into the “outer darkness.” And  his one talent given to the one who had the most. Like the exact opposite of Acts 4: 32-35 where in the early Christian community , it was  from each according to their ability to each according to their need. On first hearing, Marsha responds, Sounds like the  Republican platform. Leila says it speaks to her of the problem of not having money. Russ responds that it is very expensive to be poor. That the “master” in the story sounds more like Gordon Gecko than Jesus. (Greed is good.)  Sherryl responds, God bless the child that’s got his own. And that the  whole thing sounds backwards. As for me, its the kind of passage the makes me want to say, OK, I’m done.I’m out. 

I explain that a talent was a large sum of money…as much as 20 years labor. Perhaps even 1.25 million dollars. And we note that each had been entrusted  according to their ability. So how to blame anyone for the outcome? Trade as an opportunity required risk. The word master is equivalent to Lord. The long time he was away like the delay of the parousia, the coming. 

The root of the word property refers to that which one has proper possession of. And a slave has no possession even of their own bodies

We also note how the phrase, Well done, good and faithful servant, so often used at funerals, has been taken completely out of context.  

Traditionally, this passage has been seen as one which encourages risk taking and  using what God has already given you. It is often seen as an endorsement of bankers and traders. And for liberals,  how important it is to take risks for the gospel. All right so far, but it still doesn’t feel good. 

Next to that as in opposition to Luke 19: 12-27,  we note that none were ordered to trade.  They  took their actions on  themselves. An  alternate reading would be that the one who buried his, as the Talmud instructs,  was the only one protecting his master’s money. Perhaps the only one, who like the wise virgins, (25: 1-13)  actually prepared for his master’s return.  That this parable is placed between the virgins and the sheep and goats. Even if the  other two failed, he master would  still have over a million to start over. The Master is exactly as his salve thought him to be, He seems to believe in living off the labor  of others asa  virtue.He basically says , I take, I steal.  His behavior in response proves the salve right. Faithful in a little? He says? (23) 6.25 million is hardly “a little.” Only the unduly wealthy could see all these talents as “a few things.” Who here Is truly wicked? Truly worthless? It could just as well be the master. 

Glen Gildemstre in Richard Samson’s running commentry Provoking the Gospel,  sees a parallel to Herod Archeleus going to Rome and leaving his brothers in charge of continuing to extract taxes and wealth from the masses. The Jews sent a delegation to Rome  to oppose his rule and when he returned  he slaughtered them. The word “ability” is actually dynamis, power. 

Perhaps the real  message is : Be ready. While you wait, the rich will continue get richer and the poor will be crushed. But there will be an accounting. 

The parable seen so often as defending the status quo is an accurate description of absentee landlords and predatory market capitalism  The one who resists, the third servant, pays a terrible price. 

food ...and community..for the people

Marsha sees the need of those with”little ability” (power) needing to pool their power to be able to resist. When you can’t organize money, organize people. 

Amber Lee still sees the call to utilize your talents, not walk away form them. Talents are not only money but  metaphorically …and literally….talents. And unity through unions., for example. 

Sherryl sees it like other Jesus commands like pick up your bed and walk,. Take responsibility. 

Marsha wonders if Jesus might be messing with them. But then says at end of the day he is inevitably on his way to the cross. And we need take his words in that context. 

We are left wondering who the unsung heroes of the story are. 

the strategy

11/10

The weather stays sunny. The President refuses to concede. I share my music with the Inspired Word virtual  gathering. And make it to the Cantina just before closing. The manager has been waiting for me wondering  where I was. Has my taco order ready to go and a margarita at happy hour prices just because I’m a regular. 

We do these things to order our lives in these unstrung times. 

Matthew 25:14-30

New Revised Standard Version

The Parable of the Talents

14 “For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; 15 to one he gave five talents,[a] to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. 17 In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. 18 But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. 20 Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. 29 For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 30 As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

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