The answer is: Ten talents

Matt 25:14-30

The parable you're pondering is commonly known as the Parable of the Talents, found in Matthew 25:14-30. In this story, a master gives his servants money (referred to as talents) before embarking on a journey. Upon his return, he evaluates how each servant has managed their respective talents, rewarding those who invested wisely and reprimanding the one who buried his talent out of fear.

This tale is rich in meaning. The talents symbolize not just wealth but the diverse gifts and responsibilities each individual receives. It's intriguing to note that the largest single service—five talents—with the identical effort, the ten-talent servant demonstrates how risk can lead to great reward. It’s all about leveraging what we’re given, showing that taking initiative can lead to positive outcomes.

Another fascinating angle points to the cultural implications of the parable. In biblical times, a talent could equate to a considerable amount of money, around 6,000 denarii—roughly equivalent to 15 years of labor. When you break it down, we're talking about significant resources entrusted to each servant! This speaks volumes about how seriously the master values their abilities and what he's teaching us about stewardship — not trivial in any era.

Additionally, it's echoed in other parts of the Bible when gifts are likened to seeds meant to grow. The core message challenges us all to reflect on how we multiply the gifts—whether they be time, talents, or treasure—that we have in our lives. It invites a community spirit of sharing and thriving, for the joy of everyone involved!