t in their money. Many rich men
were putting in large sums, but a poor woman came and dropped in two
small coins worth less than a penny. He called his disciples and said to
them, "I tell you, this poor widow has given more than all the rest who
have put their money into the treasury, for they have given out of their
plenty, but she out of her poverty has given all that she has, even that
which is needed to keep her alive."

DIFFERENT WAYS OF USING TALENTS

"The Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who before going abroad called his
servants and gave what he had into their charge. To one he gave five
talents, to another two, and to another one, each according to what he
was able to do. Then the man went on his journey.

"The servant who had received five talents went at once and traded with
them and gained five more talents. In the same way the one who had
received two gained two more. But he who had received one talent went
away and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.

"After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled
his accounts with them. When the one who had received five talents came
bringing five more, he said, 'Master, you gave me five talents. See, I
have gained five more.' His master said to him 'Well done, good and
faithful servant! You have been faithful over a few things, I will put
you in charge of many things. Share your master's happiness.'

"The one who had received the two talents also came and said, 'Master,
you gave me two talents. See, I have gained two more.' His master said
to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful
over a few things, I will put you in charge of many things. Share your
master's happiness.'

"Then he who had received one talent came and said, 'Master, I knew that
you are a hard man, reaping where you have not sown and gathering where
you have not winnowed; so I was afraid and hid your talent in the
ground. There you have what belongs to you.'

"But his master answered, 'Idle, worthless servant! You knew that I reap
where I have not sown and gather where I have not winnowed. You ought
therefore to have put my money in the hands of bankers and on my return
I would have received it with interest. Take my talent away from him and
give it to the servant who has the ten talents; for to every one who has
shall more be given and he shall have plenty; but from him who has only
a little, even what he has shall be taken away.