You Must Use it or Lose it!

Matthew 25:14–30 ESV

14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Introduction

Imagine you were given a million dollars and told, "Do something with it until I return." Would you invest it wisely, make it grow, or would you bury it out of fear? Jesus tells us a parable about servants entrusted with valuable resources, and their responses reveal a powerful truth: God has given each of us something valuable, and He expects us to use it for His glory.

Too often, we focus on what we don’t have, rather than being faithful with what we do have. But this parable reminds us—God is not asking you to do what someone else can do; He’s asking you to do what YOU can do with what HE has given you.

Transition: Before we dive into the actions of these servants, Jesus starts the parable with an important fact and principle—one that sets the foundation for everything that follows. If we miss this, we miss the whole point. The first thing we must recognize is that everything in this story belongs to the Master

SERVANTS AND THE TALENTS BELONGED TO THE MASTER (v. 14)

Matthew 25:14 ESV

14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property.

A. Everything we have belongs to God

Psalm 24:1 says, “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein.”

The house you live in? The clothes you wear? The breath in your lungs? It all belongs to God!

You don’t even own yourself—1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.”

B. The problem comes when we act like owners instead of stewards

When we believe we own our talents, time, and treasure, we start making decisions based on our comfort instead of God’s calling.

But we are not owners—we are managers of what belongs to God!

🔹 Application: What has God placed in your hands? Your skills, your influence, your money—are you using them to serve Him or just yourself?

Transition: So now we understand that the Master owns everything—He owns the servants, and He owns the talents. But here’s what’s amazing: Instead of keeping everything to Himself, the Master entrusts His servants with something of great value! And let me tell you—when God puts something in your hands, it’s no small thing

THE MASTER ENTRUSTS EACH SERVANT WITH SOMETHING OF GREAT VALUE (v.15)

Matthew 25:15 ESV

15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.

A. A talent was not a small thing

In biblical times, one talent was about 20 years’ wages!

Even the servant with one talent had something of immense worth!

B. Don’t despise what God has given you

Some of us look at others and say, “I wish I could sing like her.”

“I wish I could lead like him.”

But God gave you what was best for you! The question is not, “Why didn’t God give me more?” but rather, “What am I doing with what I have?”

🔹 Application: Even if you only have “one talent,” are you being faithful with it?

Transition: Now, the Master didn’t just hand out these talents for decoration—He expected His servants to DO something with them! He gave them according to their ability, but He expected faithfulness in return. And here’s the key: The amount didn’t matter—it was about what they did with what they had!

THE MASTER EXPECTS FRUITFUL OBEDIENCE (v.19)

Matthew 25:19 ESV

19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

A. The faithful servants were rewarded

They were called “good and faithful” and given even greater responsibility.

Faithfulness today qualifies you for greater tomorrow!

B. The unfaithful servant was condemned

He wasn’t punished for losing his talent—he was punished for doing NOTHING.

Too many people sit on their gifts, saying, “I don’t want to mess up.”

But God would rather you try and fail than never try at all!

🚨 Use it or lose it!

🔹 Application: Are you actively serving in the church, using your gifts for God’s glory? Or are you like the unfaithful servant, burying your talent in excuses?

Transition: The first two servants took what the Master gave them, put it to work, and multiplied it. And when the Master returned, they were rewarded! But the third servant? He buried his gift, made excuses, and lost everything. And this is where the parable gets real—because one day, the Master will return to settle accounts with YOU!

WHEN JESUS RETURNS, HE WILL EXPECT AN ACCOUNT (v.29)

Matthew 25:29 ESV

29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.

A. The Master always returns

Jesus may not have come back yet, but He’s coming!

And when He does, He won’t be looking for excuses—He’ll be looking for fruit.

B. Faith without works is dead

We are saved by grace, not works—but true faith produces works!

“Church isn’t something you watch; it’s something you do.”

If Jesus walked in right now and asked, “What have you done with what I gave you?” what would you say?

Transition: Now, let me make this plain—when Jesus returns, He’s not going to ask how much talent you had; He’s going to ask what you did with what He gave you! On that day, there will be no rewinds, no do-overs, no second chances. Either you will hear, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant!’ or ‘You wicked and lazy servant… cast him into outer darkness.’ So I’ve got just one question for you: What will you hear?

Conclusion: What Will You Hear?

But before you answer, let me remind you of someone who didn’t bury His calling—His name is Jesus! When the Father gave Him the assignment to redeem the world, He didn’t hesitate, He didn’t delay, and He sure didn’t bury it in fear! He went all the way to Calvary! He took nails in His hands, a spear in His side, a crown of thorns on His head—because He was FAITHFUL!

And early Sunday morning, He got up with ALL power in His hands! So if He gave His all for you… is it too much to give your all for Him

One day, you will stand before the Master. And He will say one of two things:

“Well done, good and faithful servant! Enter into the joy of your Lord.” “You wicked and lazy servant… cast him into outer darkness.”

What will you hear?

⏳ The time is now! Don’t wait until tomorrow to start serving. Be a responsible servant TODAY!

Close with a powerful run: Jesus, took what the Father gave Him—His very life—and He gave it all on the cross! And because He did, we have eternal life!

If He gave His all for you, is it too much to give your all for Him?

Tell your neighbor: “Don’t bury your gift—USE IT FOR GOD!”

USE IT or LOSE IT!! USE IT or LOSE IT!!