Matthew 25:15
To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability.
God chooses to bestow privilege in varying degrees to people. Some get five, some get one, but both get no explanation. The Scripture does indicate that the ability of the receiver is taken into account, but even that ability is itself a gift from God apparently given in varying proportions.
Also evident here is that God does not aim at equality of distribution or outcome. He doesn't give less to those more industrious in order to "rig" the system so that all end up at the finish line at the same time. He gives differing amounts to different people. The distribution end of the spectrum is not one founded on equal distribution. He doesn't give just 1 talent to the more industrious knowing that they will turn it into 5 and then give 5 talents to the lazy, good-for-nothing, knowing they will live up their reputation and end where they began, with 5. In other words, God doesn't work to secure an end score of 5 to 5 where everybody ties and everybody gets a participation award for being born. He also doesn't give everyone 5 right out of the gate. Some get more, some get less. What makes His standard and measure of justice equal is that they all are judged according to their particular situation by the same measure: did you invest what you had and produce more a result? You are not judged by what you were never given. You are critiqued in accordance with what you have and what you did with it. Fruitfulness is the measuring rod. So in that regard, those who produce a crop of 30 fold have nothing to fear in light of those who produce a crop of 100 fold. Team 30 fold are not second or third rate citizens in the kingdom of God. They did what they were supposed to with what they were given. The goal is not equality of outcome, but fruitfulness in proportion to what they've been given. And that is the equalizer, not a tie score with no overtime.
Is it a sin to be given 5? No. Is it a sin to be given only 1? No. Is either a statement about the person per se? Maybe. But both have the ability to work with what they have been given to the glory of God and the good of their neighbor. Some have less ability, some have more. Some are given less talents, some more. But all have the opportunity to do good with what they've been given. The amount of good they can do is in proportion to the amount of good they've been given.
The Master does not punish the man with 1 for being given 1, He punishes him for having just the 1 at the end of it all. He judges him for sitting on what he was given or spending his time being envious and complaining about those who have been given 2 or 5 instead of investing his 1 in order to produce more. If you spend your 1 all worked up about the fact that others have 2 and some even 5, you will find yourself wasting your 1, condemned as wicked and left with 0 as you watch your 1 be given to the man who turned 5 into 10.
Matthew 25:26, 28
You wicked and slothful servant! ...Take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents.
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