The parable has given us a new meaning for talents. At the time of the parable it was a unit of measure for silver or gold. Now we have talent shows, talent searches, talent contests. The beauty pageants that came under attack from feminists for being sexist with their emphasis on bathing suit competitions have tried to shift to the talent of the women. Scholarships are offered as prizes so that talented competitors may continue to develop their talents.

Some people still put the emphasis on the monetary nature of the talent which was given to each of the slaves. They find the parable an admonition for stewardship. They stress the importance of investment of money to produce a good return. A college president was once ruminating on the nature of government and foundation grants. His obser…