Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity (2023)

Matthew 25:14-30 (Special Text)

My Brothers and Sisters in Christ in our Gospel lesson this morning we have the parable of the Talents, in this parable a master entrusts 3 of his servants with various amounts of his property for them to use as he departs until he can return and to see how they have managed what has been given to them and to see what they can gain.

The Property Entrusted

A talent is worth 20 years of wages.

So this is an incredible amount of money that he entrusts to each of these servants. Today a single talent by wages would over 1 million dollars. So he hands out 5 talents, 2 talents, and 1 talent. But why such different amounts?

He distributes it based on ability.

He takes into consideration what each person can handle and gives to them what they can use. This sounds like a pretty sweet deal until you realize, is that the money is still his property, and he is expecting them to get a return.

The first two bring back different amounts, but receive the same blessing.

The first man returns to his master 10 talents, and the second man 4, we might think well why wouldn’t he reward the one who earned him 5 talents over the one who earned him 2? Because he did the same as the first, he just had less to begin with.

The one who left it untouched is condemned.

He is condemned as wicked, slothful, and even though he knew his master was expecting him to have a return didn’t even bother to give it to those who might gain a little bit of interest.

What does this mean?

The master is Jesus.

Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Who has entrusted to his servants his property until he returns again and takes us to be with him. For what does the Gospel of John say? John 1:3 “All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.” It is at his ascension that all creation bows its knee and sings his praises.

The servants are Christians.

We do not belong to ourselves, when you read the Scriptures the writers consistently refer to themselves as servants and slaves who are seeking to serve their master.

The talent is everything we are given.

We might be wondering well where is my millions? It’s not just money, and it isn’t just what God gives us in a moment, but in a lifetime. Using the amount of talents, we could also draw comparisons with a talent being 20 years, representing the length of our lives. So what has Christ given us?

The Treasures of God

Jesus won for us the treasures of heaven.

We were heirs of heavenly treasures, but we could not gain access to them. For we were unable to fulfill the condition that would open the gates of heaven to us. The Law, instead condemned us and told us we would never be worthy, but then Jesus came born of Mary, and fulfilled the Law for you. So despite your sins, you have the treasures of heaven.

This is eternal life, forgiveness, and a home in paradise.

Instead of death being your end Christ has made our grave a door that takes us to be with our Heavenly Father. The guilt and the shame that weighed us down for our sins, our failings and the corruption of our flesh has been forgiven by Jesus, and He has promised you a place in heaven, for whoever believes and is baptized shall be saved.

God also gives to us all our earthly treasures.

Who gives us life and breath, who established our days when as yet there were none? Who has given me my reason and all my senses? Who give me food, drink, house, home, wife, children, lands animals and all I have? Who guards and protects me from all evil? It is my Father in heaven who has done all these wonderful things. Not because I deserved them, but because He loves me as His child.

They are given to us for a time based on our ability.

This is where sin and temptation tends to affect us. There are certainly times at work, where a person is not appreciated or compensated as they should be, or people can fake to get ahead. God knows your ability, he knows your strengths and weaknesses. You can’t fake it or hide it from him. This is where we are commanded to not covet. God knows you, and he knows your neighbor better than you do.

Stewards of God’s Treasures

God gave them to us with a purpose.

It doesn’t mean we get everything we want or desire, but God has entrusted them to us while we are here. The world right now struggles to find purpose and value and meaning, because it worships idols like money, fame, family, etc. Instead of looking to their maker.

What happens if we bury these treasures?

Well what happened to the man who did not make good use of them? He was condemned and it was taken away from him and given to one who would use it well.

This deals with the third use of the Law.

That is why he is condemned for being wicked and slothful, that he is neglecting what His master had given him and had laid it aside. We see this easy enough in the world. Where a person loses house, land, etc. because they do not tend to it well, but this also applies to the spiritual blessings God has given us. We can lose our salvation.

Life Within the Church

First, making sure we attend.

The Scriptures teach that we are to honor the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. To receive the forgiveness of sins promised, in Confession and Absolution, in the hearing of God’s Word for that is where the Holy Spirit works to create faith, to hear the proclamation of the Word, and receive the body and blood of Christ.

Second, learning the Word.

Spending time in the Word of God and learning what it says, and what it means. Think about the great treasure we have that God has given us, that we not only own Bibles, but that we can read them without fear. This is a blessing that Christians in history didn’t have, and Christians in different parts of the globe long for.

Third, inviting others.

We also want to evangelize and share the Good News of salvation, but if we aren’t attending to those first two things, then what do we have to share with our neighbor? Our neighbors need it, the world today is full of trouble, and people who don’t know why they even exist, what do with the guilt and shame they carry, and they end up wandering to their own destruction, when we could just invite them.

Fourth, supporting with offerings.

God has always had the people give offerings in the Old and New Testament for the support of the ministry so that there might be a place for people to go, preachers and teachers to share the Word, and to support evangelists. He doesn’t lay this burden on one person, but involves everyone in this work so that the message of salvation can be provided for all.

What happens if we don’t?

These gifts can be taken.

We have tremendous blessings here, but if we decide to bury them, then what happens? Well Churches close, so don’t coast, rather treasure these good gifts that God has given you and make use of them.

Don’t say others will do it.

I get that it’s tempting, but think when it comes to evangelism. I invite people to church often, because I want them to receive the gifts that Christ won for them. Now do I get turned down, I usually don’t people in the midwest are very polite, so they won’t say their not coming.

God included you as a member.

Just as God placed you in your family and in your community to help, God also called you to be his child and made you a member of St. Matthew, where you can hear the Word, grow in your knowledge of Scripture, and sing praises to God together with all the saints. Don’t let that go to waste, and don’t let it perish. Your abilities might not be the same as your neighbor, but that’s ok. God is already aware of that, but make use of what He has given you.

My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, see what great gifts God has given to you in this life. Not only the earthly treasures, but the Father sent the Son, Jesus Christ our Lord who has opened for us the gates of heaven. How can we poor sinners not appreciate this? If we place this before our eyes it helps us fight against the sin of covetousness, and instead learn to be content with what we have been given, and directs us with a purpose to what we are to be about. For we are cautioned that Christ our master will return, and if we have neglected these gifts, buried them, and let them sit, He will not commend us. So may we be vigilant and treasure the wonderful gifts we have. In Jesus name, Amen.