The Parable of the Talents

Matthew 25:13–30 NKJV

13 “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming. 14 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ 21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ 26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. 29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Mat 25:

Mat 25:13

Matthew 25:13–30 NKJV

13 “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming. 14 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ 21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ 26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. 29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

(Slide)

1 Talent = 60 Minas * 100 drachmas = equalled approx 18 years worth of labour! Based on the assumption that a Drachma or Denarius was the normal days wage, from dawn to dusk, in Jesus time. See . The Greek drachma may have been worth slightly more than the Roman denarius (1.132352941).

Just how much the Lord as lavished on us in Christ Jesus. We need to open our eyes.

John 10:10 NKJV

10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

Last Sabbath

Last week we looked at the Parable of the Tax Collector and the Pharisee.

That taught us two key things,

That we should never forget who we are by nature, that is, “Lord, have mercy on me a sinner”.

That we should treat people with compassion not contempt.

Today’s Parable we will look at is commonly called “The Talents”.

It teaches us our responsibility of Stewardship in everything as Believers.

It is the task which believers are to be occupied with until Christ returns.

Good stewardship for the Lord’s benefit, of all that he has loaned us.

(Slide)

As one author puts it,

As God’s people, we are called to reflect the image of our Creator God through whole, redeemed relationships at four levels—with God, with our self, with our neighbour and with creation—bringing glory to God and practicing in each the ongoing work of the faithful steward.

Rodin, R. Scott. The Steward Leader: Transforming People, Organizations and Communities (p. 33). InterVarsity Press. Kindle Edition.

God, Ourselves, Relationships and Resources

One of the best “Christian Leadership” books I have read.

Reflecting the image of God, in whole, redeemed relationships, with God, with Ourselves, with our Neighbour and with all our Resources.

This is not a new list of Christian to-dos, it is about relationships.

This is critical in light of the introduction to this parable, which sets the whole context,

(Slide)

Matthew 25:13 NKJV

13 “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

Matthew 25:13 NKJV

13 “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

Especially in light of the introduction to this parable, which sets the whole context,

The Apostle James says it bluntly, ()

James 2:26 NKJV

26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Faith without works is dead.

Faith without Stewardship is dead.

In this parable, Two Servants were Stewards. One Servant was not.

One Servant was not.

(Slide)

Matthew 25:14–15 NKJV

14 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.

Matt 25:14

(Slide)

The use of the word Talent today is somewhat different.

Today we have Talent shows.

Have you watched them?

There are some good moments.

There are equally many grinch worthy moments.

Simon Cowell seems to be judging all of them.

Our daughter loves “America has talent”.

Simon Cowell seems to be judging all of them.

We have “Britain has Talent”.

It has given us many stars.

Remember Susan Boyle with the song, “I dreamed a dream”. An ordinary looking Scottish lady, but when she began to sink, well she left everyone speechless. It went viral.

Maybe one of these dark winter evenings we should try, “Great Yarmouth Church has Talent”

(Slide)

In Jesus time, the term Talent meant something very different.

It was a unit of accounting, a financial measurement.

For those accounting types out there, let us dig a little.

For those who hate figures, try no to go to sleep.

It is fantastic stuff, when we can grasp what Jesus is getting at.

Only wealth belonging to royalty and rulers was measured in Talents.

Today we have 10, 100, 1000, 1,000000, 1000,000,000

It was unheard of amongst ordinary folks.

A Talent was not an actual coin, but a unit of accounting.

Today we have 10, 100, 1000, 1,000,000 , 1000,000,000

A Talent It was Part of the Greek accounting system.

For those accounting types in the congregation, it is thought that,

The Drachma was the base coin.

1 Minas equalled 100 Drachma.

1 Talent equals 60 Minas

1 Talent equals 60 Minas * 100 Drachmas = 6000 Drachmas

Though some commentators say 1 Talent = 10,000 Drachma.

A Drachma was equivalent to just over a normal days wage in Jesus time, as it was slightly more valuable than the denarius, the Roman coin of Jesus time.

(Slide)

Matthew 20:2 NKJV

2 Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

Drachma was worth around 1.132352941 Denarius.

(1 Talent * 60 Minas * 100 Drachmas * 1.132352941) / 365 = 6794 days of wages or 18.6 Years.

There will be a test on this!

You can wake up now.

Here is the key point.

(Slide)

Matthew 25:15 NKJV

15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.

Value of 1 Talent = Approx. 18.6 Years of Work!

There will be a test on this!

Average UK Salary in UK in 2018 - 22K * 18.6 = 409K

1 talent was the lowest amount given.

Another was given 5, another 2, according to the wisdom of the Mater

Looking at this as the amount of time we have to live for God may be a useful.

Talents were only talked about associated with Royalty and the super Rich.

(Slide)

It was the largest accounting measure of the day.

Ephesians 1:3 NKJV

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

Do we understand just how much Christ has loved and lavished on us as Believers?

Just how much the Lord as lavished on us in Christ Jesus. We need to open our eyes.

(Slide)

1 Peter 2:9 NKJV

9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

Do we understand just how much Christ has loved and lavished on us as Believers?

You gave me one Talent vs YOU GAVE ME ONE TALENT. Wow.

What love!

I think understanding this Parable starts with this!

A Chosen Generation, a Royal Priesthood, a Holy (set apart) Nation, where Talents of Spiritual Blessing are ours in Christ.

When our eyes are opened to that, I am convinced it overflows.

Do ask the wrong question, it is not “what have you done with your talents ?”, but rather “ How can we not overflow when we have been given so much?”

Is it any wonder Paul prays that the

(Slide)

Ephesians 1:18 NKJV

18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

The eyes of our understanding may be enlightened.

When our eyes are opened to that, when we get that is our hearts, as well as in our intellects, I am convinced it overflows and multiples.

The Riches of the glory, the Talents.

I think the biggest need we have today is for our eyes to be open to the Fatherhood, and abundance of our spirtual blessings in Jesus .

And it is absurb

To truly understand and have assurance of Salvation because of who God is and not our ability to obey, but his ability to heal, transform and

It is why Paul sings in Prison.

.....

John 10:10 NKJV

10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

My Utmost for His Highest December 18th—The Test of Loyalty

The idea is not that we do work for God, but that we are so loyal to Him that He can do His work through us—‘I reckon on you for extreme service, with no complaining on your part and no explanation on Mine.’ God wants to use us as He used His own Son.

(Slide)

Matthew 25:15 NKJV

15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.

Matthew 24:15 NKJV

15 “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand),

How do we understand the different levels of Talents given?

We are all created equal before God.

We all have the image of God, now marred and fallen to the lesser or greater extent, due to sin.

In a universal sense all mankind has been given some level of dominion and stewardship.

(Slide)

Genesis 1:26–27 NKJV

26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

In a universal sense, all mankind is responsible before God for their stewardship of their relationship

with God,

with Themselves,

It goes back to Gensis

with Others

and with their Resources.

It is the same with the New Creation in Jesus.

When we are born again in Christ.

That is what Baptism symbolises to the public, what has taken place inside us.

We are born again into the new society Christ is building for eternity.

His Church. His Bride.

We are all equal before God in Christ.

We are all fully justified before God by faith alone.

But we don’t all have the same roles in God’s new society or are given the same gifts by the Holy Spirit.

This is not about equality before God’s as part of his family. Rather it is about our roles, gifts and order in God’s new society and church.

The point is that are we stewards in this new Creation, in this new Society, of what we have richly (Talents) been given in Christ.

For Faith without works is Dead.

So in conclusion to this first part of the parable, we can say that “Like the master, God entrusts all people with a portion of his resources, expecting them to act as good stewards of it.

(1) “Like the master, God entrusts all people with a portion of his resources, expecting them to act as good stewards of it.

Let us continue with the two Good servants, and then finally come to the Wicked Servant.

Matthew 25:20–23 NKJV

20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ 21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

Let us continue with the two Good servants, and then finally come to the Wicked Servant.

(2) Like the two good servants, God’s people will be commended and rewarded when they have faithfully discharged that commission.

“A Good worker brings joy to the Master or Manager”

Having spend many years in management I can testify about that.

You get to know quickly who you can trust and who is reliable in business.

Who are a safe pair of hands.

Is it any different in church?

(Slide)

Proverbs 25:13 NLT

13 Trustworthy messengers refresh like snow in summer. They revive the spirit of their employer.

You know it is safe in their hands.

Can God trust us?

Are we a safe pair of hands for the Lord?

Are we satisfied to answer no?

Can God trust that the talents he gives us are safe in our hands?

Or are we striving with the help of the Holy Spirit to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and his example, especially at the cross?

Think of Jesus Stewardship of us

John 18:9 NKJV

9 that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, “Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none.”

Look at Jesus Stewardship of us

It is about Stewardship of people, not stuff, not todos.

That is, Servant Stewardship

This has eternal implications for us, and for others.

(Slide)

Again I want to say that as our eyes are opened to the riches we have in Christ, those royal talents, they will overflow.

In conclusion for this section of the Parable,

Like the two good servants, God’s people will be commended and rewarded when they have faithfully discharged that commission.

Again I want to say that when our eyes are opened to the riches we have in Christ, those royal talents, they will overflow.

The Pharisee needed his eyes and heart open to his real state, his sin!

Again I want to say that as our eyes are opened to the riches we have in Christ, the royal talents, it will overflow.

It is when our eyes and heart are opened to all that God has done for us, that servant stewardship can become a reality.

We will say, “we have just done our duty”.

God will say, “Enter into the joy of the Lord”.

Because here that joy is partial, but one day soon it will be complete.

We come to the Wicked Servant.

(Slide x2)

Matthew 25:24–28 NKJV

24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ 26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.

We can say a few things about this servant.

He was given one talent.

He hid it and he returned one talent to the master.

He hid it and returned one talent to the master.

He viewed the master as hard, unjust and as a severe taskmaster.

He viewed the master as hard, unjust and a severe taskmaster.

Is this not the view of God today among many?

And unfortunately is also found far too often among Christians as well?

Remember , It is when our eyes and heart are opened to all that God has done for us, that servant stewardship can become a reality.

Matthew 25:29–30 NKJV

29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

He hid it.

(3) Like the wicked servant, those who fail to use the gifts God has given them for His service will be punished by separation from God and all things good.”

His view of the master

Like the wicked servant, those who fail to use the gifts God has given them for His service will be punished by separation from God and all things good.

That is not a popular statement today.

But it seems appropriate both to,

Those Hostile to God based on general revelation and stewardship given to all in Genesis.

Those who profess commitment to the Lord in the revelation of salvation and the new creation, but show no evidence in their lives of the reality of their profession.

For Faith without works is dead!

For Faith without Stewardship is dead.

What on earth was this servant doing all the time his master was away?

He buried the talent so what was he doing.?

We must conclude, he was Living a sinful, self indulgent life?

He clearly was not living a life for Christ in obedience or in works.

(Slide)

Sailing

It is one of my bucket list items to try one day.

It is the same wind that powers the sailing boat.

It is the same basic boat design.

The Same Sails.

Yet one sailing boat heads East, one heads West, one heads north and one heads south.

It is all about setting your Sails in the right direction.

Two servants set there sails for Christ, one servant set his sails for Himself.

Is it time to reset of your sails?

Two servants enter into the joy of the Lord, for eternity.

Let us all the race marked out for us, with our eyes fixed on Jesus.

One servant enjoys the pleasure of this world for a season and enters into eternal nothingness.

What a waste!

Philippians 1:21 NKJV

21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

May this be our prayer today, and all of our todays.

The Parable of the Talents

Introduction

Talents

What is a Talent?

What is a Talent?

Talent Shows

Talent as Accounting Measure (Add Coin Picture)

Talent as Accounting Measure

Talent Measured Royal Wealth

Talent = 18.6 Years of Work

Talents in Christ Jesus

God has lavished on us in Christ

God has lavished on us in Christ

Different Talents

All Mankind

New Creation

Two Good Servants

Management

HP Management

Servant Stewardship

The Wicked Servant

The Parable Concludes

Our Response

Sailing Boat Analogue

To live is Christ