Inequality and Fairness

 

What do you think?  Are there issues of inequality and fairness in God's Kingdom?

Take the parable of the talents as an example.  The master gave three different servants three differing amounts of talents.  Servant #1 got 5, Servant #2 got 2, and Servant #3 got 1 talent.

Each talent would be equivalent, we're told, of roughly 600,000 to over one million dollars by today's standards.  Back then, it would have been worth 15-20 years' worth of a laborer's wages (AI Overview).

So was this division among the master's servants fair?  Why the seeming discrimination?  What would you say?  Was it favoritism?

The master went far away for an undisclosed length of time.  The servants had no idea when he would return.  Even the servant with the one talent was extremely wealthy.  They could have taken off and disappeared into the world and lived quite comfortably.  They could have become their own master.

But Servant #1 and 2, 

"went at once" 

to the traders.  They didn't waste time and used what they were given to the best of their abilities -

 "according to their abilities" (vs 15).

This is key to note.

Supposed inequality and unfairness needs to be judged in light of this statement ... 

"according to their abilities".

Servant #1 and #2, as it turned out, had no quarrel with the amount of talents they received.  They knew what their master wanted and they went at once, to their responsibilities.  They traded despite any risk there may have been.  They earned and not just earned, but each doubled their talents respectively.

They each got commendation when Master returned.

  "Well done, good and faithful servant" 

he said to them.  They were then rewarded. with greater responsibility.

Servant #3 showed his total lack of regard and that he truly did not know his master's heart.  He didn't even bother to put his amount in the bank to gain interest.

In his fear of the master he neglected his duty.  There were no legitimate excuses.  He failed to earn, failed to gain profit, failed to be fruitful and to multiply.

The harsh judgement from the master's lips in consequence, 

"lazy and wicked" 

servant being cast into that 

"place [of] weeping and gnashing of teeth" (vs 30) 

seems unjustified.

Too harsh for us?

"Lazy," we can understand, but was he really "wicked"?  What was so wicked about hiding the talent in the ground?

Some have reflected that he'd schemed.  If the master never returned, then he would keep the talent for himself.  He'd be rich.  If he'd had put the sum in the bank and the master never returned, he'd not be able to claim the talent and interest for himself.  They'd know it did not belong to him.

This dereliction of his responsibiltiy, seen in this light could then truly be labeled "wicked," I believe.

Spiritual lessons in regards to learning the Kingdom of God's values and standards are faithfulness, multiplying, using our talents for God's purposes.  It's not the amount given but that what we are given, we put to use.

Building a relationship with our Master Jesus, to truly know His heart, to develop an attitude of humility, to imitate Him in all things will help us to know when, where and how to use our talents whether it's our time, energy, resources spiritual gifts, education and more.

Serving the Lord to build up those in the Kingdom and to bring others in, are what will earn our own

 "well done, good and faithful servant," 

I believe. 

When we realize the seeming inequalities and unfairness are actually more to do with our capabilities, level of competence, responsibilities, attitude being more Christlike and our relationship with the Lord, I'll say it again, the supposed unfairness will recede in our minds and hearts and we'll be more able to use our talents for the Lord's glory and not for our own.

We are all equal in value as a person in God's sight but have different roles, abilities and capabilities.  How faithfully we engage them is our choice.  However, of most importance is the focus on using our talents, NOT on how many we have.

Using them to serve the Lord, building up the believers in their most holy faith and furthering the gospel of Jesus Christ and to live in the readyness of His imminent return will help keep us faithful.  May all glory be to God as we live by His grace.

                                                   ~  ERC  March 2026  ~

Based on Matthew 25:14-30; Philippians 2:3-8 ESV.  Also Bible Study, Parables - The Greatest Stories Ever Told by John White, Lesson 9 - Parable of the Talents.

Sing, Let the Beauty of Jesus, along with divine love and Wasted Years, along with Rex Allen, and Must I Go Empty Handed, along with Risen Lord.