MONEYLENDING
The Parable of the Talents, found in Matthew 25:14-30 offers profound insights into stewardship and the responsible use of God’s gifts. In this parable, Jesus describes a master who entrusts his servants with varying amounts of money before embarking on a journey. The servants who received five and two talents invested and doubled their amounts, while the servant with one talent buried it out of fear and laziness, leading to the master’s severe rebuke upon his return.
Understanding the historical context of moneylending during Jesus’ time enriches our grasp of the parable. Unlike today’s banking systems, ancient moneylending, introduced by the Phoenicians, involved offering low interest rates to depositors and then redistributing funds through high-interest loans or investments in trade. However, Jewish law prohibited charging interest to fellow Jews, as stated in Deuteronomy 23:20-21: “You shall not demand interest from your kindred on a loan of money or of food or of anything else that may earn interest. From a foreigner you may demand interest, but you may not demand interest from your kindred.”
In the parable, the master’s reprimand of the servant who buried his talent includes the statement, “Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming, I should have received what was my own with interest” (Mt 25:27). This indicates that even minimal effort to generate a return would have been better than no effort at all.
The Catholic Church’s teaching on usury has evolved. While historically condemning excessive interest, the Church now recognizes the legitimate role of reasonable interest in modern economic systems. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that those in charge of economic and financial affairs must work to establish a just order that serves the common good (CCC 2431).
For Christians today, this parable offers several important lessons:
Stewardship: We are called to be good stewards of the gifts God has given us, whether they are material resources, talents, or spiritual gifts.
Responsibility: Each person is accountable for how they use what they have been entrusted with, regardless of the amount.
Risk and Faith: The parable encourages us to step out in faith and use our gifts, rather than hiding them out of fear.
Ethical Financial Practices: While the parable mentions interest, it’s important to approach financial matters with integrity and in accordance with just principles.
Growth and Fruitfulness: God expects us to grow and bear fruit with what we have been given, contributing to the building of His kingdom.
REFLECTION
As Christians reflecting on this parable, let us consider how we can best use our God-given resources to serve others and glorify Him. We are called to be faithful stewards in all aspects of our lives, using our talents and gifts to contribute to the common good and advance the mission of the Church. May we always strive to invest our gifts wisely and courageously, trusting in God’s provision and seeking to bear abundant fruit in His name.