Matthew 25:14

παρέδωκεν αὐτοῖς τὰ ὑπάρχοντα αὐτοῦ. Cp. Mark 13:34. ‘A man taking a far journey, who left his house and gave authority (rather, his authority) to his servants, and to every man his work.’ Christ in his absence gives to each a portion of his own authority and of his own work on earth.

A great deal of the commerce of antiquity was managed by slaves, who were thus often entrusted with responsible functions (cp. ch. Matthew 24:45). In this case they are expected to use their Master’s money in trade or in cultivation of the soil, and to make as large an increase as possible.