The parable of the talents
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The Parable of The Talents
The Parable of The Talents
Recap
What is a parable?
greek word “parabole”
Literally means “cast alongside”, “putting things side by side”, with the purpose to compare.
Jesus’ parables were stories “cast alongside” truth in order to illustrate that truth
Jesus’ parables were stories “cast alongside” truth in order to illustrate that truth
The truth was hidden mysteries
Why did Jesus speak in Parables?
The reason Jesus spoke in parables was not so that they could understand more, it was to hide the truth
Why did Jesus speak in Parables?
The reason Jesus spoke in parables was not so that they could understand more, it was to hide the truth
The message of Jesus blinds, deafens, and hardens because the truth hurts
The message of Jesus blinds, deafens, and hardens because the truth hurts
Speaking in parables was a judgement on the people that were rejecting His teachings
Speaking in parables was a judgement on the people that were rejecting His teachings
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Last session
Parable of the sower
The Parable of The Talents
The Parable of The Talents
Introduction
Break into groups
Read
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.’
Context
The parable is speaking about readiness
Up until this point Jesus had been speaking about the last days...
“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.
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Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.
Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know
Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
What is different about this parable? About the point Jesus is making?
This parable answers the question. What does it look like to be ready?
We have a wealthy landowner and 3 of his servants
The relationship between the master and his servants
Servants were given responsibilities and authority over the masters wealth
They were partners in things of the house and his land
The word servant in the bible is in relation to work
Abraham was going to leave his inheritance to his servant if he had not had a son
some translations say salve
Slaves/servants in the ancient world were not like slaves as you may think today, like in the 1800’s (chains, rape, torture)
race based, people owned as property, no legal rights
Salves were often
Well fed people, with legal rights, and protection
Who were the people in the parable?
The word servant in the bible is in relation to work
The master & his 3 servants
The bible does not support slavery (Love others as Christ loved us - we would be servants of all)
Thats the relationship we have here
The master before going on a long journey gives each of his servants different amounts of talents
What is a talent?
Greek word “Talanton”
Originally “a balance,” then, “a talent in weight,” was hence “a sum of money” in gold or silver equivalent to a “talent.”
In the Old Testament, one talent was approximately 75 pounds. 75 pounds of coins that looked like quarters.
originally “a balance,” then, “a talent in weight,” was hence “a sum of money” in gold or silver equivalent to a “talent.”
In the Old Testament, one talent was approximately 75 pounds. 75 pounds of coins that looked like quarters.
In New Testament times, a talent was made up of Denarius. One denarii was equivalent to $25 in US currency.
In New Testament times, a talent was made up of Denarius. One denarii was equivalent to $25 in US currency.
Perspective: 1 talent = 6,000 denarii = $150,000 dollars
Perspective: 1 talent = 6,000 denarii = $150,000 dollars
it would take a day laborer 20 years to earn so much
So we are talking about a large sum of money
The parables meaning
“For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property.
What is “it”? The kingdom of heaven
“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.
Back to parable
“For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property.
Who is the “man” in the parable? Jesus
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Matthew 2
You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am.
What was the “journey”? Heaven
What was the “journey”? Heaven
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.
10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes,
11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
Who are the “servants”? Believers
And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”
And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction.
Matthew 9:
Now you have a greater picture
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:
Now you have a greater picture
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
Lets keep going
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.
To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.
He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more.
So also he who had the two talents made two talents more.
But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.
What are some differences you see between the 3 servants?
To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.
matthew
Each servant received a different amount according their ability
Each servant recieved a different amount
To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.
matthew 25:
Unity does not mean uniformity
complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
phi
17 If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?
18 But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it.
19 How strange a body would be if it had only one part!
20 Yes, there are many parts, but only one body.
6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you.
7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well.
8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
We all have been given something and its our responsibility to use it for His glory
“At Once”
He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more.
Matthew 25:
We have to be ready to respond to the call of God on our lives “AT ONCE” (IMMEDIATELY)
While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.
And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Immediately they left their nets and followed him.
And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them.
Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
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18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.
19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him.
21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them.
22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
We have to be ready to respond to the call of God on our lives “AT ONCE” (IMMEDIATELY)
The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.
Don’t delay what God has called you to do
Two did something with it
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.
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.
Remember in the beginning we said that this parable answers the question “what does it look like to be ready?”
It’s not a matter of passively waiting...
It wasn’t a matter of how much they earned but how hard they tried
One buried it
But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.
matthew
What does it look like to NOT be ready? This is it
You take what God has given to you and you do nothing with it
More on this servant later
Lets look at what happens when the master returns
Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
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.’
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.’
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.’
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.’
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,
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.’
What do you notice about the two faithful servants and their reward?
They’re exactly the same
It “shows that what was important was not the total amount earned but faithfulness in utilizing their gifts and potential.”
servants show that what was important was not the total amount earned but faithfulness in utilizing their gifts and potential.
“You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much.”
This is saying that....Being faithful stewards in this life will result in being given greater responsibility and stewardship in heaven
Lets keep going
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,
so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’
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?
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.
So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents.
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.
And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
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.’
Why do you think the 3rd servant buried the talent?
v24 - Misperception of the master
Funny is he says “I knew You”
Funny is he says “I knew You”
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
When you have a relationship with the master/God you know His voice. You know what He expects from you
When you have a relationship with the master/God you know His voice. You know what He expects from you
v25 - Fear - What was he afraid of?
It stems from his misperception of the master
Also maybe afraid to take a risk thinking he might lose the one talent and waste it
Great men all throughout the bible have seen the hand of God move greatly when they have trusted the Lord in the face of fear
Elijah saw fire fall from heaven when he trusted the Lord in the face of 450 prophets of baal
v25 - Laziness -
Hiding the talent was the easy way out
comfortability
Daniel slept in a Den of Lions and came out untouched when He trusted the Lord
Shadrach meshach and abednego stood in fire and didn’t even smell like smoke when they trusted the Lord
v25 - Failure to take ownership -
“Here, you have what is yours”
The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.
Gen
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:
Man was created and put in the garden to work it and keep it
Don’t you love a worker who takes
ff
Lets keep going
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?
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.
So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents.
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.
And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
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.
Matthew 26
His own words condemned him
The least you could have done
The little he had was taken from him
For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
Final verse
And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
It is speaking of Hell
If you believe in heaven you have to believe in hell
God is loving but he is also JUST
- For the wages of sin is death
What can we learn from this parable? How can we apply this to our lives?
Don’t waste what God gives you
Dont attribute things to god that are not true
Each person is give different amounts
Be ready...
How can we put what God has given us to work?
How do we bury it?
What are the talents in your life?
Talent = responsibility
Talent for application purposes could be a host of things that God has entrusted us with
The parable of the talents happens every day. So if you buried it yesterday, make it up today with 100% yield.
(spiritual gifts, the gospel, insight, our brothers in christ, our families, wife, children, our Jobs or careers or business’s)