Matthew 25:14-30, “For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
“...the talents in Matthew 25:14-30 does not necessarily refer to saved people only. There is a similar parable in Matthew 21:33-46. It is directly applied to the Pharisees and the Jewish leaders. God had turned His vineyard, the nation of Israel, over to the Jewish leaders. They were held accountable for it. That does not mean that they were saved people. God does hold most people accountable for the things He puts in their hands, the opportunity He gives them, and particularly any place of influence.
“...it is quite clear that the servant who had one talent and was cast into outer darkness does not represent a saved person at all. God will hold people to account for the way they use what He has given them and for the opportunities they have had. And that is the great principle of the parable of the talents. Two of the servants represent saved people, so here is a lesson of rewards for Christians according to their labor. I think the one man represents a lost man and here is a reminder that God will judge men according to their opportunities.
When you read the story again you will see that there is nothing about that one man that would indicate that he was a Christian. He hated his master and slandered him. He does not represent a Christian.” —Dr. John R. Rice, “Dr. Rice, Here Is My Question...,” p. 276; 1962
I fully agree with Brother Rice concerning this Scripture passage. Whether saved or lost, the Holy Bible warns that we will all be judged according to our “works.” The difference is on what basis we will be judged. For believers at the Judgment Seat of Christ, we will be judged on the basis of being God's redeemed children saved by grace (2nd Corinthians 5:9-11; Romans 5:20). A believer can only fall “in grace,” but never “from grace.” We will be judged as believers according to our “works” (1st Corinthians 3:11-15).
For the unbeliever, they will be judged for the “works” on the basis of the law, since they died in their sins under the curse of the law without Christ (Revelation 20:11-15). Either way, we will all be judged as humans according to our works. I like to compare the two different judgments to criminal court versus civil court. In criminal court you risk being punished if found guilty; whereas in civil court your only risk is monetary loss of rewards or money.
The parable in Matthew 25:14-30 applies to both the saved and the unsaved. We will all be judged according to the talents, resources and opportunities which God has entrusted to us in life.
