Matthew 25:14–30

The “man” (Matthew 25:14–30) who is a householder is the creator and Lord of this whole world. The word of the parable likens his journey either to Christ’s ascent into the heavens or to the unseen and out-of-sight character of the divine nature. By God’s “belongings” understand those in each country and city who have believed in him. He calls “his slaves” those whom Christ in due times crowns with the boast of priesthood; for the inspired Paul writes, “No one takes the honor for himself, but the one called by God.” (Hebrews 5:4) To these he hands over those who have come under him, giving a spiritual gift to each according to the mind and fitness he has. We say this is the distribution of the talents, not supplied to the household servants in equal measure because of the difference of understanding. “Straightway” they went and worked, he says — the “straightway” here signifying to us that it would be fitting to work the things of God without any delay. Those held by hesitation and idleness will be in the worst evils. For he buried, he says, the talent given to him in the earth — that is, he kept the gift idle in himself and useless to others. So the talent is taken from him and will be given to the one who is rich; for the Spirit and the giving of the divine gifts will depart from such people, while for those who have worked lovingly there will be a richer increase of gifts.

The householder here is the Master Christ as creator of all and Lord. His journeying is the ascent into the heavens. One may also say it otherwise: as existing unseen to creation and not seen by us when we sin, he is said in scripture to be journeying. His belongings are the faithful in each country.