The Talents (2)

Parable of 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.

Purpose:

To consider the key role TRUST plays in our willingness to risk investing the resources God has given us for the furthering of his kingdom.

Question 3

A talent was not a personal ability but a measure of money equal to thousands of dollars.

Put yourself in the place of the first and the third servants.

1. And unto one he gave five talent.

2. And to another one.

What thoughts, beliefs and feelings would you have experienced if you were entrusted with their talents?

A talent was worth approximately six thousand denarii, so it would take a day laborer twenty years to earn that much.

In today’s currency, a talent would be worth around $300,000.

The other two servants would, therefore, have been entrusted with $1,500,000 and $600,000 respectively.

(Encourage participants to use their imaginations to put themselves in the story as the first and third servant.)

The first servant seems to have experienced trust in his master’s goodness that allowed him to risk investing his talents.

The third servant seems to have imagined terrible things about his master and, in fear, felt he needed to hide his talents.

Would the talents be compared to the Word of God, His call or plans for you are extremely valuable.

Question 4.

Compare the reactions of the master to the first and second servants .

What matters to him, and what does not matter?

Notice that the master is not concerned with the dollar amount earned.

What is important here is the servants’ trust in the master’s good will toward them and their willingness to invest what is given them without fear.

Are you afraid to invest your life in what God has given you.

Are you trusting in other things and have buried the call and will of God for your life.

Question 5.

What can you infer about their relationships with their master?

What is the relationship between you and your heavenly Father.

The “at once” of verse 16 indicates the heedfulness of the first two servants in executing their responsibilities.

The first two also felt secure enough in their relationship with their master to be willing to risk their portions in some business enterprise (work of God).

The actions of the third servant reveal a very different attitude and relationship.

How does our relationship with God affect our attitudes toward what we do?

Question 11.

Ask participants to be as specific as possible. You may want to take the lead on this, making it safe to speak honestly from the heart.

11. How can you faithfully handle the responsibilities God has given you?

Thank God for the resources he has entrusted to you and to others you know.