{"id":43913,"date":"2024-01-11T02:30:05","date_gmt":"2024-01-10T23:30:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=43913"},"modified":"2025-05-02T11:00:31","modified_gmt":"2025-05-02T08:00:31","slug":"question-what-did-jesus-mean-when-he-said-you-ought-to-have-deposited-my-money-with-the-bankers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2024\/01\/11\/question-what-did-jesus-mean-when-he-said-you-ought-to-have-deposited-my-money-with-the-bankers\/","title":{"rendered":"Question: What did Jesus mean when He said, \u201cYou ought to have deposited my money with the bankers\u201d?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Answer:<\/strong>
\nThis phrase is part of the Parable of the Talents<\/em>, found in Matthew 25:14\u201330<\/strong>. In the parable, Jesus tells a story about a master who entrusts his servants with different amounts of money (“talents”) before going on a journey. One receives five talents and gains five more, another receives two and gains two more, but one receives a single talent and hides it in the ground.<\/p>\n

When the master returns, he praises the first two servants for being \u201cgood and faithful\u201d<\/em> (Matthew 25:21, 23, NKJV) because they were productive with what was entrusted to them. But he rebukes the third servant for doing nothing, calling him \u201cwicked and lazy\u201d<\/em> (Matthew 25:26, NKJV). He says:<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.\u201d
\n(Matthew 25:27, NKJV)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Theological Meaning:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In biblical context, this parable is not primarily about financial investment\u2014it is about faithfulness in stewardship<\/strong>. The \u201ctalents\u201d symbolize any gift or resource God entrusts to us: abilities, time, influence, opportunities, or finances. The servants represent believers, and the master represents Christ, who will return and hold each person accountable.<\/p>\n

Jesus is emphasizing that doing nothing with what God has given you is unacceptable. The third servant could have at least entrusted the money to \u201cthe bankers\u201d (i.e., people who could use it productively), meaning that even indirect action<\/strong> is better than passivity. This reflects a broader principle in Scripture: God expects us to bear fruit<\/strong> with what He\u2019s given us (John 15:2).<\/p>\n

In spiritual terms, the \u201cbankers\u201d can be seen as those actively engaged in ministry or gospel work. If someone is not a preacher, teacher, or evangelist, but has been blessed financially, they can still contribute to God\u2019s kingdom by supporting those who are. By investing in gospel work, they become partners in the mission and share in the eternal reward.<\/p>\n

As Paul wrote to the Philippians:<\/p>\n

\u201cNot that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.\u201d
\n(Philippians 4:17, NKJV)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Practical Application:<\/strong><\/h3>\n