Parable of the Eight Talents

Introduction:

Today, I offer my own version of the famous biblical Parable of the Talents. After this intro will appear my version, and after that – the original text (verses 14-30, Matthew, chapter 25). This I do for your convenience as a basis of comparison.

Steven Searle’s version of

The Parable of the Eight Talents

Once upon a time was a master who had to travel, on short notice, to a far-away country. He called his servants and delivered unto them his goods, but gave no instructions as to their disposition. And he very quickly departed.

The first servant, a man of extreme talents, was given five talents of money – so here he shall be called Five Talents.

The second servant, a man of middling talents, was given two talents of money – so here he shall be called Two Talents.

The third was a man of few talents, who was given one talent of money – so here he shall be called One Talent.

After the master had departed, these three servants found questions arising in their minds and pondered the following:

• Our master did not give us any instructions as to how we should handle his money or, for that matter, any clue as to how long he would be gone.

• They wondered if their master had entrusted them with the vast majority of his wealth or only a small portion. If these 8 talents represented but a small portion of the master’s wealth, losing them would not be a disaster. Perhaps we three servants are being tested? For our initiative? For our trustworthiness? For what?

• Even if master was hoping we’d invest his money, should we try to decide what types of investments master might find morally repugnant? Or just seek the highest rate of return?

• Even one talent of money is a considerable amount – being equal to the value of twenty years of work by an ordinary person*. That being so, such a loss would not be a trifling matter.

• Should we concern ourselves with why it is the master had to leave so quickly and, more urgently, why it is he had such a vast sum so readily at hand?

Five Talents and Two Talents were indeed talented, but also possessed of a desire to impress their master. So they took it upon themselves – again, with no instruction to do so by the master – to invest their master’s talents. And it was no small gain they sought – seeking instead to actually double their master’s money. Under even the most favorable of circumstances, no small undertaking.

Leaving their master’s dwelling and entering a locale habited by speculators and fast-dealers, they showed their fortune and were flattered. Eight talents is a lot to bring to the table, so their newfound investment advisers cooed. And the kind of men to possess such wealth – wonderful and wise men they must be. And so Five Talents and Two Talents were flattered.

Alas, being well out of their element, they were relieved of their fortune – every last grain. To be sure, their advisers too had been financially devastated by the cruel and unpredictable turns of the marketplace.

One Talent, however, did indeed have talent enough to be cautious. He was amazed by the turn in behavior, the acquired haughtiness of his two fellow servants. That is, until they all learned of the total loss of the seven talents. That’s when One Talent spoke up and admitted he did not invest his master’s money, considering it not his place to be so presumptuous. He, instead, had simply buried his portion.

However, the master had not yet returned. And much more time was to pass before he would. During which time, Talents Five and Two indulged in bemoaning their losses and neglecting their other duties. The master’s household was becoming unkempt and disorderly. However, One Talent exerted himself heroically trying to make up the difference.

Five Talents and Two Talents didn’t even notice this effort, since they were too much in mourning and concerned with how to present news of this loss to their master.

One day, when Five and Two Talents were in the master’s house drinking, hoping to conjure up a solution to their dilemma, One Talent was on the outer boundary of the estate trying to mend his master’s fences. Looking up, he saw his master approaching from a distance. He beheld him, thinking, “From afar on that little donkey, master looks pitifully small. This is not the first time I’ve started really thinking about my master and his true nature, wishing I could fathom him precisely. To think: His distance from us inspires us to think of him more objectively.”

So One Talent determined to test his master.

“Hail, master! Long it’s been since your departure. Welcome home!”

Master, being tired, stepped down from his donkey and took a ladle of water offered by One Talent. Mustering his courage, One Talent spoke:

“Master, with your permission, may I be the first to offer news concerning your Talents?”

“Ah, most certainly. Take advantage of the moment and proceed with your account; though hold your tongue in the presence of the others, lest you spoil their renderings.”

“Master, Five Talents was able to double your money by means of prudent investment. As was Two Talents able to also double his entrusted amount.”

“And what of you, who – as usual – describes himself last and perhaps too modestly?”

“Master, I did not invest your money, thus I have only the original amount to return to you. It currently resides in its original source, buried in the earth.”

“What? My other servants double my amounts and you return only the original, unincreased?”

“Master, I was afraid of loss. I could not stop thinking of one talent being equal to the value of 20 years of work by an ordinary man. If I were to lose even part of that, I would somehow be diminishing the value of 20 years of a human life. From the earth your fortune came, to the earth I returned it for safety’s sake until your return.”

“Did it not occur to you that even cautious and conservative investing would have almost certainly yielded a return?”

“Aye, it did occur to me, as it did to the others. But should we, as servants, be expected to know of the intricacies of the world of money? If we were so savvy, we would not be servants. And, besides, it is as you yourself just said – ‘conservative investing would have almost certainly yielded a return.’ The word almost loomed large before me.

“Besides, harken Lord, for think of the speculated earnings awaiting you, cleverly deduced by Talents Five and Two.” And One Talent proceeded to describe piles of glittering coins and what they could obtain. And One Talent keenly yet undetectably observed his master’s countenance as he proceeded more deeply into his description. And he liked not what he saw on his master’s face.

Before long, the master arrived at his dwelling, side-by-side with One Talent, and summoned the other two Talents. He was as eager to hear their accounting as he was surprised when he soon saw their woeful appearance before him.

“Tell! Do tell of your wondrous exploitations on my behalf!”

Soon enough, the entire truth spilled out and the master was disturbed – but for other reasons: Seven talents had been lost and One Talent had lied to him.

“What say you, liar?”

“Yes, I lied to you. But how severely did I lie when it was obvious the lie would soon be untold?”

“Is that all you have to say?”

“Oh, perhaps you mean I should apologize. I will not do that, but I will say this: I quit. I am your servant and not your slave. I don’t know how you will deal with the loss of seven talents or with those who lost it. But I will hope you at least be merciful to them – forgetting what should be forgotten and teaching what should be taught. I hope the one talent I will dig up for you will prove to be talent enough. Though when I beheld the greed from within show itself upon your face, I must doubt that one will be talent enough.”

“Very well, then. Dig up my one talent, present it to me and be gone. Tell me, do you think you have talent enough to survive outside my realm?”

“I will be at least happy to try. But suppose I am overcome by bad circumstances. Others have died before me, so can death itself be so bad? Methinks you are too consumed by money to see much past its glitter. Transcend that, oh my former master. There are so many ways the beautiful world outside your fences glitters. Behold them before it is too late. It really takes no talent at all to at least try that.”

The original Parable of the Talents

Source:  http://www.sacred-texts.com/bib/kjv/mat025.htm

14 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.

15 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.

16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.

17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.

18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.

19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.

20 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.

21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

22 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.

23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and 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.

24 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:

25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.

26 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:

27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.

29 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.

30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

Founder of The Independent Contractors’ Party

“In verse 26 of the original, above, I think the Lord was a bit over the top in calling him a ‘wicked and slothful servant.’ After all, the servant admitted he was afraid” – Steve.

 *  “a talent was roughly the value of twenty years of work by an ordinary person” – source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parable_of_the_talents_or_minas#Parable_of_the_Talents

Cain and Abel, Revised

The complete title of the following is:

Cain and Abel: Revised for your Reflection by Steven Searle, the Buddhist

1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. [NOTE: Numbered passages such as this one are from Genesis 4, King James Version of the Bible.]

 2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

And Cain had many thoughts as he labored in the fields:

"I labor mightily in the fields, while my brother idly watches his flock of sheep. I, however, bear no enmity toward my brother, for he is decidedly weaker than I and a dreamer. On the other hand, I revel in the exercise of my greater strength, knowing it feeds my father and mother. And also feeds Abel honestly, for the Lord has not granted us permission to eat meat. Neither did the Lord forbid it, but I am still anxious about the matter.

"Abel brings meat aplenty to our family, of which he, Adam and Eve partake. I, however, cannot fathom this slaughter, which the Lord has not directly permissioned. Also, the Lord is silent when I question him on this matter.

"Aye, gladly, then, do I labor in the fields, though the sun burns me hotly and the soil yields grudgingly."

3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.

Cain's thought was not to influence the Lord nor seek His favor. Rather, it was to influence Abel thusly: "If Abel sees me give away a portion of that for which I have worked so hard, maybe he will reconsider his idle ways and what they mean to the lives he takes among his flock. As his older brother, I owe him an example. As I owe to my father and mother to be my brother's keeper."

4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:

 5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

 6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?

 7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

Cain thought unto himself, though he said nothing to the Lord:

"The Lord has asked me three questions, which I am too angry to answer at this time. But I know the answer to anger: Hard work. Whenever I labor in the fields, I become calm. I know I am more fiery than Abel, so it is that Abel shall never know how hard work and purpose can forge our minds. Poor Abel. He thinks to please the Lord at the expense of the life of a living animal."

So it was that Cain walked away from the presence of the Lord, not witnessing what happened next between the Lord and Abel. Though the Lord "had respect" for Abel's offering, that was feigned for two reasons. For the Lord had been taken aback by Cain's offering. Never had He been offered anything before, though He supposed that pride might well up within Cain's breast should He appear to respectfully accept Cain's offering.

Also, He wished to wait until Cain's departure before addressing Abel:

"You expect me to ... eat that!?"

Abel: "I offer you my best."

The Lord: "If you had offered to Me a live firstling for Me to uplift straight unto heaven, that would have been more acceptable. But this? You offer to Me a thing from which you've taken life and you call that your best?"

Abel silently withdrew from the presence of the Lord, crushed by the censure of his Lord. Walking further and further, when sure he was unobserved, Abel found himself a precipice and threw himself from it in despair. Cain, walking by, saw this and ran up to Abel's crushed and dying body:

"Oh, Abel, why did you do this thing, end your own life?"

"Cain, I am saddened beyond relief at my Creator's censure. I can no longer remain here. Without Him, my life has no meaning."

"But we do not know what death will bring."

"Maybe it will be like sleep: mostly blackness, quietude, and visions of better things."

"Or maybe not."

"Or maybe not. Please, my brother, do not tell the Lord of this."

9 And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?

And Cain thought: "The Lord asks where is Abel as if He doesn't know...and I think: He truly doesn't know. Maybe there are certain things He chooses not to know. Also, He does not answer my question ‘Am I my brother's keeper?'"

10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.

And Cain thought unto himself:

"The Lord God truly does not know. Not if He has to ask, ‘What hast thou done?' I am sure He hears the voice of my brother's blood, but that voice I'm also sure is not to accuse me of misdeed. It is surely only the cry of agony. The Lord God knows my fire and thus suspects I could kill my brother. Yet I shall remain silent as to Abel's demise, since I have promised my brother that I would not reveal his secret."

Many years passed and Cain had reflected frequently upon the nature of the Lord and the meaning of his exile. He thought thusly, but never expressed aloud his thoughts, preferring to keep them unknown to the Lord who (who knows?) might be listening:

"I have kept my promise to my brother Abel, though I wonder: What has become of Abel? Where is he? How is he? Is he somehow with the Lord? If so, has he spoken of my innocence? If the Lord knows my innocence (that is, if Abel has told Him), my continued suffering must then be for reasons known only to the Lord. Aye, I am used to hardship and I do thank the Lord for my continued strength to endure it.

"I also thank the Lord for my good wife, who ‘knew' that I had killed Abel (for I never told her otherwise), yet also sensed me to be a good man. She accepted me and loved me, though I had displeased the Lord. This speaks well of her, and till my dying day I will consider her to be the greatest gift of all from the Lord to me.

"I find it interesting though (in the privacy of my unspoken thoughts) to know that my Lord had chosen to remain ignorant of certain things. Though why should that surprise me. For had He not surprised us all by speaking falsely -- lying -- when saying:

‘17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.'"

And so these came to pass:

The first offering unto the Lord. This was made by Cain, though in Cain's mind, the benefit was intended for Abel and not for the benefit of the Lord.

The self-imposed ignorance of the Lord concerning the affairs of man. God asked, "Where is Abel thy brother?" He asked because He didn't know, and because He had seen the effect of His words upon Abel. Worried about Abel, He looked for him but found Cain instead and so asked him, "Where is Abel thy brother?"

The profound sacrifice of Cain. He kept a promise made to his brother though incurring punishment from the Lord in exchange.

Steven Searle's End Note:

I am aware that the account in Genesis specifically says that Cain slew Abel. However, keep in mind that this account is known as "The First Book of Moses Commonly Called Genesis." This Book might have had more authority had it been known as "The First Book of God..." It is important to keep in mind that it was Moses who wrote this book. Moses was not only "just" a man, he was also a Jewish partisan. Unlike the Ten Commandments which were rendered in God's own handwriting, "Genesis" was in Moses' own writing and, I'm sure, was rendered through the various lenses of his experience.

Divinely inspired? Perhaps, perhaps not.

More to the point: My rendering of the Cain and Abel story claims things God did not know, which I had written as: "Maybe there are certain things He chooses not to know." If that is the case, then how could Moses know something (that Cain slew Abel) that the Lord God Himself did not know? It is on this basis that I chose to revise the Cain and Abel story as I did.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

Founder of the Independent Contractors’ Party

“It’s not good enough to merely read scripture; one has to read between the lines and figure out (for himself) what is true and what is false.”