If you believe the parables are about economics you have been misled; by definition a parable uses common situations as an analogy to explain difficult concepts, in this case about the spiritual world. Is the parable of the lost sheep about animal husbandry? Is the parable of the sower, or the parable of the tares instructing us how to be better farmers? NO!! They are teaching us about the kingdom of God, as Jesus tells us in his own words. Why do you view this one differntly? This parable is likewise not at all about money, but about the kingdom of heaven. Who does the lord give gifts to? His people... what are these gifts? Wholly undeserved supernatural (e.g. spiritual) gifts, what we call “grace” which become available as our relationship with God becomes perfected (a perfect relationship with God is to enter the “kingdom of heaven”). According to scripture these are gifts of discernment of spirits, of preaching, ability to understand Scripture, ability to heal, prophecy, etc. They are God’s power given freely to his people, waiting for us if we merely ask and accept them and use them. The parable tells us that if we don’t, they will be taken from us and given to others who will bear more fruit in the venture of saving souls.
I read what I read-
No man can speak for God and pretend he knows what is in God`s mind.
When you get to heaven then you can tell me all about Jesus words coz he will tell you Himself.
Til then, I read what I read and I ain`t stupoid -
the story is a "similitude, allegory, parable, emblematic allusion" -"A Pocket Lexicon to the Greek New Testament", Souter
This is one of the longest stories in the NT and it demonstrates the economic milieu of the times by illustrating the principles of investment and interest-bearing monetary practices then.
Otherwise Jesus is using a ficticious story with fictitious principles embodied therein. Jesus does not lie. So the story may be fictitious, but the principles are not.
So I read what I read.
The story may be fictitious, but the economic principles borne thereupon are relevant and true today as they were 2000 years ago. You can`t throw the bath water out with the baby.
Both spiritual and practical economic principles are true.
Ergo both must be respected as being effective paths to heaven and life on earth, resp.
We ain`t angels cos we have to earn a living to eat to feed our bodies coz angels don` got no bodies-
Otherwise Jesus would have only talked about angels in order to illustrate divine principles.
But he didn`t. He talked about human beings and what they do so common folk could understand Him.
Verbum sat.