The parable of the talents is the second relating to men’s readiness for Christ’s second coming. While the parable of the ten virgins focuses on readiness manifested in waiting, this shows of readiness manifested in working.
银子的比喻也是有关人为基督再来时所做的预备。有别的是，十童女之比喻的焦点是等待中所做的预备，而这个比喻陈述的是工作中所做的预备。
- The responsibility given 交托的责任 (25:14-15)
A man had three servants to whom he had entrusted his property before going on a journey. Knowing them intimately, he entrusted each one only with the responsibility they could reasonably be expected to handle.
在往外国去之前，有一个人将他的家业交托给三个仆人。凭着他对每一个仆人的了解，他只将各仆人所能承受的责任交托给他们。
- The response evoked 仆人的反应 (25:16-18)
The first servant was eager to serve his master, going at once to use to full advantage all that his master had given him, doubling the amount with which he had started. The second was given less, but was equally faithful and hardworking. The third, however, went to hide his coin and did not use what he had to full ability.
第一个仆人热切侍奉他的主人，马上将主人所给予他的银子发挥最大的作用，将数额翻倍了。第二个仆人所承受的较少，但他也一样忠心、勤奋。可是，第三个仆人却把银子藏起来，不好好利用自己所领受的。
- The reckoning faced 受到的审判 (25:19-30)
At his return, the master commended the faithful servants on their attitudes, more than mere accomplishment; they are rewarded with greater opportunity of serving, sharing in the divine joy of their master. However, the third servant not only disregarded the stewardship he was given, he even charged his owner in being unmerciful and dishonest. His fear of the master was that of irreverent contempt – he did not love or respect the master. His lot was stripped and given to the faithful, and was cast into the outer darkness.
主人返归时，赞赏了忠心仆人对事的态度，过于他们的成就。他们的赏赐就是在侍奉上有更大的机会，并同享主人的属天喜乐。然而，第三个仆人不但轻看了他所要管理的事，还控告他的主人是无慈悲、不诚实的。他对主人的“害怕”实际上是不敬的鄙视——他并不敬爱他的主人。因此，他的银子被夺回了，归给那忠心的仆人，并被丢在外面的黑暗里。
Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告
- We thank our God for knowing us intimately, giving us only what we can handle, both the good and bad.
感谢神深知我们，只给予各人能够承受的事，不论是祸是福。
- The number of talents given to each slave had no significance in itself – Jesus was emphasizing equal effort for differing levels of responsibility based on individual ability. Are we then focused on using what we have for God’s glory while spurring one another to such, or do we despise those with more or less?
各仆人所承受的银子并不重要——耶稣所强调的是个人按照自己的能力，在不同程度的责任上所付出的相同努力。因此，我们当看重的是如何为神的荣耀使用所拥有的一切，同时激励彼此那么做，还是轻看拥有比我们多或少的人呢？
- The first two servants used their opportunity to serve the Lord as they eagerly wait for His return, while the third put aside all that was given to him and went about his own selfish business – which are you?
前两个仆人在急切等待主的归回时利用机会侍奉主，但第三个则抛开所领受的，只在乎自己的企图——你是哪一个仆人？
