[The following is from a Christian Century article by Lloyd Douglas entitled, “In Re Sermons on Wages.” It was published in the May 12, 1921, issue, a little over a year after the end of the First World War. Douglas writes:]
“The Parable of the Talents is a delightful setting for a sermon today. It amply repays any amount of study the preacher may care to put upon it. It contains some very effective medicine for all parties concerned in the present conflict. There may be some doubt as to how far one may properly go in attempting to utilize this story for modern purposes; but suppose it read as follows:
“For the state of industry is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own employees and delivered unto them his goods; and unto one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
“And it came to pass that he was no more than out of sight than the local secretary of a labor union came that way and called a meeting and did organize those servants. And it was No. 456, Talent Workers’ Assocation. Nor did he go unrewarded who had done for them this thing.
“Now it befell that when each worker discovered what his brethren had received, he recked naught of the difference between their several ability and skill and experience, but thought only of the discrimination made among them; and thereafter they dwelt not exceeding happy together.
“Then he that had received five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. Likewise he that had received two talents, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his employer’s money. After a long time, the employer of those servants cometh and reckoneth with them.
“And it came to pass that they appeared before him, saying, ‘Thou deliveredst unto us five and two and one talents, totaling eight. Behold, we have gained, beside them, five and two talents more, making seven. Grand total, fifteen.’
“Now the employer said within himself, ‘I had thought to receive eight talents on this investment. Lo, these men have taken advantage of me, by about 12 and a half percent.’ And he did speak his mind unto them to the same effect.
“Then he that had received five talents, and had gained other five, bowed his head and was speechless; for, albeit he was honest and industrious, he was organized. Likewise he that received two talents, and had gained other two, dared not speak; for he had passed his word to be a regular fellow, and not tattle. And it came to pass that he who had been a lazy slacker did also hold his peace; moreover he did grin, slyly, the while he leaned upon the spade wherewith he had exhumed the buried talent; and did put his tongue in his cheek and say within himself, ‘Verily, were it not for this blessed organization, I would now lose my job. Long live No. 456, Talent Workers’ Association!'”
[Douglas continues:]
“No! In this case five talents and two talents and one talent do not make eight – any more than five talents, and two honest men, and one hole in the ground make eight! It isn’t fair to anybody – not even to the idler, whose character, as a citizen, should be safeguarded, if he himself hasn’t the manliness to do it without assistance.
“Now – suppose we turn this parable around, and see how it looks from the other side.”
[Douglas’s essay will continue in my next post…]
The Lloyd C Douglas Page 