THE TALENTS

Matthew 25:14–30 KJV 1900

For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

THE TALENTS

Outlines on the Parables of Jesus 13. The Talents (Matthew 25:14–30)

God will judge man according to his use of his talents. The word talent means abilities, skills, intelligence, or gifts. All people have talents; some have more than others. God will judge our faithfulness in using these talents. Not all can teach Sunday school or sing in the choir. Some can clean the church; others can visit, etc. All can pray and witness for the Lord. The Bible warns us to be faithful—Rev. 2:10. Whatever you do, do it with faithfulness to God.

The Parable

Matthew 25:14–18 KJV 1900

For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.

MATT.

Outlines on the Parables of Jesus 13. The Talents (Matthew 25:14–30)

I. The Parable—vv. 14–18

A. Servant—v. 14. The servants met with the master before he went on a journey. They were given money for investment purposes.

B. Sharing—v. 15. The Living Bible says the shares were $5,000, $2,000, and $1,000. Others were given according to their ability.

C. Service—vv. 16–17. Some put their money into service by investing it to gain interest.

D. Shame—v. 18. The man given $1,000 hid it. Faithless and fearful, he allowed his talent to lie dormant.

THE PEOPLE

2 Corinthians 5:10 KJV 1900

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Matthew 25:19–25 KJV 1900

After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.

1 Corinthians 4:2 KJV 1900

Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

Psalm 90:12 KJV 1900

So teach us to number our days, That we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

Malachi 3:8–10 KJV 1900

Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, Even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be meat in mine house, And prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, If I will not open you the windows of heaven, And pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

MAL.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 KJV 1900

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

ECL.

Outlines on the Parables of Jesus 13. The Talents (Matthew 25:14–30)

II. The People—vv. 19–25

A. The return—v. 19. After a long time, the master returned and asked an accounting of the money. We are accountable to God for our lives—2 Cor. 5:10.

B. The results—vv. 20–23. Those who invested their money were praised for their faithfulness. We, too, will be judged by our faithfulness—1 Cor. 4:2.

C. Rejection—vv. 24–26. God expects us to use the talents he gives for His honor and glory.

D. God will judge Christians in their use of:

1. Time—Ps. 90:12.

2. Money—Mal. 3:8–10.

3. Abilities and skills. See Eccles. 9:10.

THE PUNISHMENT

Matthew 25:26–30 KJV 1900

His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

mATT. 25:

Romans 12:11 KJV 1900

Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

Outlines on the Parables of Jesus 13. The Talents (Matthew 25:14–30)

III. The Punishment—vv. 26–30

A. Laziness—v. 26. “But his master replied, ‘Wicked man! Lazy slave! Since you knew I would demand your profit …’ ”—LB. See also Rom. 12:11.

B. Loss—vv. 27–30. The talent was taken from the one who had wasted it and given to the one who had made the greatest increase. The unprofitable servant was cast into outer darkness.

C. Lesson—God’s judgment will come to all people. See Heb. 9:27; 2 Cor. 5:10; Rev. 20:11–15.

Hebrews 9:27 KJV 1900

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

2 Corinthians 5:10 KJV 1900

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

REV. 20:

Outlines on the Parables of Jesus 13. The Talents (Matthew 25:14–30)

At the judgment for Christians, there will be tears because the Christian was guilty of laziness and indifference. God’s people know their need for Bible reading and prayer, they know it is right to give God His tithe, they know soul-winning is their responsibility—but so many Christians do not apply this knowledge to their lives. As the result, they will stand in shame at this judgment for Christians.