Talents

Apart from occasional mentions, we read about talents in three places in the Bible. The first is in the list of gifts made towards the building of the great temple and is followed by the words “of silver” or “of gold”. Just what was that weight and value is the subject of many learned guesses, but the one I like the best is “The load that a man could reasonably carry”. Others say about 38kg, but there are several different figures proposed.

The second is in the gospels where Matthew 25 records Jesus’ parable about the men who were loaned different numbers of talents and what they did with them. Now we usually think of these talents as sums of money – in Luke’s account the investment could have been several years’ wages. There were well defined investment banks even in those days which would sell shares in projects and pay interest. However the word Jesus used “talanton” can mean “that which is weighed out or apportioned to anyone” so could apply to the Chambers definition of the word talent as “Any natural or special gift or aptitude”.

The third is in 1 Corinthians 12-14 where Paul lists examples of nine of the “gifts” that different people may be given. Then he gives that amusing illustration of parts of a body which might consider their anatomy to be more important than others. In some translations the word “talent” is used instead of “gift”. Perhaps the subject for another month. Paul here says that the greatest gift is love.

Money talents

The inference is that Solomon’s temple was very grand as there were gifts of three thousand talents of gold and at least seventeen thousands of refined silver. Part of this was from David’s own treasury and probably about 20% from public gifts. We read that “the people gave willingly”. The idea seems to have been that the place where people could go to learn about God should be of the highest quality. It was reckoned as one of the wonders of the world for less than a hundred years before they started using bits to buy off invaders before what was left was broken up by unwelcomed visitors about four hundred years later in 597bc. Whilst the total weights of precious metals in the construction are given, no weights are quoted for the individual bowls, plates and candlesticks. It just leaves us with the impression that everything was of the best for God. Most of the metals and the jewels were bought with the profits of trading with other nations. Remember, Jesus was in business as a carpenter until he was thirty. He is realistic about skills, money and profit margins.

Gift talents

There are different types/amounts of talents or gifts given or loaned to people. These can be the abilities/skills/capital to do things as well as the opportunities. Jesus told his story of the different numbers of talents loaned to three people in that week between the triumphal entry into Jerusalem and the Passover supper. It is one of His critical lessons to those who were to spread the gospel (good news) around the world. The capital sums/talents/gifts were freely given or loaned, not earned. But they were to be used to the best effects. All profits made were to the benefit of the master who had provided the “gifts”, not kept by the beneficiaries. The talents given to the three men was what they could reasonably manage with their skills. The one who had had doubled his investment of five got the same response as the two gifts bloke and both received the same thanks. “Well done you good and faithful servant”. Reward was not proportional to result. But the man who did not use his allowance is condemned for not using his loaned talent or even his own given abilities. A few weeks later after Pentecost the eleven disciples and others were each apportioned areas of the known world by lots to establish fellowships. Thomas got India and the East and founded Christian churches there.

Questions

Why did Solomon think that the temple had to be so grand? In 520BC the Jews were allowed back into Jerusalem and Haggai castigates them for living in houses with ceilings fitted before the temple was rebuilt. Had they got their priorities wrong? Everyone should ask themselves what talents/gifts they might have and then use them. Talents as aptitudes or abilities or resources may need working on to be most effective. Martha with a gift for catering complained that Mary was not helping, but Jesus said that Mary’s gift of sitting listening was the better. In Jesus’ teaching everyone has some talents. They are not all the same, but it is not good if they are not to be used.

Bob