Think you know your Bible?

I just read a very interesting alternative interpretation of The Parable of the Talents that Jesus tells in Luke 19. Completely different to the way I've always heard it taught.

As the story goes, a nobleman leaves the country to go and be crowned king. (Herod's son Archelaus did this following Herod's death, as the listeners would have known.) Before he goes, the guy divides 10 minas (worth about 3 months wages each) among his servants to invest while he's gone.
When he returns, the first servant has made 10 times the amount given - and receives 10 cities to govern as a reward. The second servant has made 5 times more than he first received, and gets 5 cities as a reward.
But the third servant has made nothing and gives back the original amount. "You wicked servant!" says the king, and takes this amount and gives it to the guy who has 10 cities.

The traditional interpretation is that this parable is about how we are to use what we've been given wisely, because one day Jesus will return and call us to account.

But watch this.

Lloyd Pietersen explains a different way to look at it, and this is very interesting. He points out that whenever Jesus talks about money, it is usually about GIVING IT AWAY, not investing and gaining more. Especially in Luke's gospel, where this is from. Blessed are the poor, Jesus says in Luke 6:20. Zaccheus' story, which is just before this one, ends with Zaccheus giving half his fortune away, and repaying anyone he's cheated four times the amount. One can assume that old Zac ends up with very little at the end. And Jesus says "Salvation has come to this house." The poor widow also gives her last pennies. The rich young ruler, also just a little before this story, is told by Jesus to give everything he has to the poor and come follow. Discipleship, in Luke's gospel, means giving up everything to follow Jesus.

In this context, it would be strange for Jesus to follow with a parable promoting accumulation. Pietersen suggests that Jesus is telling this parable to draw attention to the injustice built into the society, where the rich get richer and those with nothing have everything taken away. Sound familiar?

The third servant, which might be representative of a follower of Jesus, refuses to play by these rules (a common theme for Jesus) and is rejected. Not a particularly encouraging end to the parable. But that's just how it is. Though it's difficult, and you might get chewed up and spit out, Jesus still says generosity - not selfish wealth accumulation - is the only way to "the kingdom of heaven."

That interpretation definitely seems to line up better with Jesus' other sayings and actions. Doesn't work well for those churches that have used the parable to promote prosperity though!

Nice to still be surprised by Bible things I thought I knew. I hope that never stops.