Matthew Part 90: The Parable of The Talents

Text: Matthew 25:14-30.

intro: dual meaning: Religious elite vs followers of Jesus, Faithful Christians vs unfaithful Christians

it speaks of personal responsibility over what you have been given by God. its is about being good stewards with what God has entrusted you with.

Verse 14

master goes on a journey, Jesus leaving

Verse 15-18, The talents

verse 15

talents

how much are they?

1 talent, usually 75 pounds of precious metal, silver = 6000 denarii, about 20 years wages

5 would be 100 years wages

what do they represent?

based off of what each servant does with them, probably responsibility over what God has given you and what you do with it (Money 1 Jn. 3:17-18, gifts from god, 1 Cor. 12:4-11, Rom. 12:4-8, 1 Pt. 4:10-11.)

the number of talents, not important

to each according to his ability

this is something that’s tacked onto their ability. giving responsibilities based on what the master knows they can handle

verse 16

given five, he acts accordingly

verse 17

same, even with little

verse 18

did nothing

verse 19-23, Calling to account

verse 19

after a long time, possibly longer than expected

verse 20

now he has 10 talents for the master

verse 21

well done

good and faithful

been faithful over little

10 talents little to the master, over 200 years wages

i will set you over much

Matthew 24:45-47.

enter joy

symbolic of God’s presence, Ps. 16:11.

verse 22-23, same thing

they get:

approval

commendation

more responsibility (after Jesus returns)

matthew 19:28.

reward

Verse 24-30, the lazy servant

verse 24

gas lighting

verse 25

afraid of what? probably loosing any fruit he got from making more

but if he was afraid of his master, that would make you work harder. its an excuse

verse 26-30

not approval, condemnation

“Wicked and slothful”

not commendation, correction

“You knew”

“you ought”

not more responsibility, responsibility taken

“so take”

Matthew 13:12.

is this unjust?

not reward, punishment

“and cast”