The Talents

Intro:

To illustrate his commands to “be alert” (24:42) and “be ready” (24:44) for his second coming, Jesus offers the third and final parable in the set.[1]

· Parable of the Talents – 3 Servants

· Olivet discourse

· Matthew 25:14-30

· End time judgment

1. we are accountable to the Lord for the way we use our means and time;

2. there will be rewards and punishments both in our earthly life and in heaven;

3. we are in training here for life there.[2]

Key Points:

· Responsibility

· Reliability

· Accountability

Keyword: faith, fear, risk, reward, expectations

Responsibility – You are responsible for God’s gift

Jesus likens the Kingdom of Heaven to a man entrusting his property to three servants before going to another country.

· Direction – Responsibility FROM GOD to you

· Response – able

Matthew 25:14–15 NLT

14 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. 15 He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip.

first servant is given equivalent 75 years’ worth wages;

second servant receives 30 years’ worth wages;

and third servant, 15 years’ worth. [3]

Life Lesson: If God gave it, you can handle it

Proportion – God does not give you more than you can handle

Vs 10 servants – each given one pound – same amount

· Bags of silver = talent = a significant amount of money

· Talent = a unit of weight vs a dollar amount

· 1 talent = 60 minas!! As used in the parable of the 10 servants

· Talent = 72 lbs.

· silver = $273 per pound x 72 lbs. = about $20

1. The first servant is given five bags of gold (25:14–15a). = $100k or 360 lbs.

2. The second servant is given two bags of gold (25:15b). = $40k or 144 lbs.

3. The third servant is given one bag of gold (25:15c). = $20k or 72 lbs.

Personal applications:

God gives everyone a talent

The talent that God has given you is significant

God expects you to not only USE (invest in) your talent, but also MULTIPLY your talent

Be RELIABLE With God’s Gift

Matthew 25:16–18 NLT

16 “The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more. 17 The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more. 18 But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money.

1. The first servant doubles his money (25:16).

2. The second servant also doubles his money (25:17).

3. The third servant buries his one bag of gold (25:18).

Faith BELIEVES, Fear BURIES

All Will be Accountable FOR God’s gift

Upon his return, the man meets with his three servants.

1. The first servant is rewarded for his faithfulness (25:19–21).

Matthew 25:19–21 NLT

19 “After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money. 20 The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of silver came forward with five more and said, ‘Master, you gave me five bags of silver to invest, and I have earned five more.’ 21 “The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’

2. The second servant is also rewarded for his faithfulness (25:22–23).

Matthew 25:22–23 NLT

22 “The servant who had received the two bags of silver came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two bags of silver to invest, and I have earned two more.’ 23 “The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’

3. The third servant is severely rebuked for his unfaithfulness (25:24–30).[4]

Matthew 25:24–27 NLT

24 “Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate. 25 I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.’ 26 “But the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn’t plant and gathered crops I didn’t cultivate, 27 why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’

Something is better than nothing!

Don’t Fear of Failing God

· Even church members ae afraid of failing God, so they try to take the “safe” way by opting out, rather than use the faith God gave them.

· Ironically, in so doing, they FAIL by DEFAULT

· Everyone can do something

· God’s commands are not grevious

Matthew 25:28–30 NLT

28 “Then he ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver. 29 To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. 30 Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

God’s talents: Use it or lose it

· “do nothing” – a warning to our passive society

· “Useless” = lazy, fearful

Faith is rarely comfortable – but always worth it!

· Third servant ends up with the same amount he was given – net gain of ZERO

· Laziness and fear forfeit the future

· Spiritual principle of efficiency: God wants a return, God invests in you, God gives you a chance, but God will give your gift to a productive person if He has too.

End Time Alert! Do what you CAN with what you HAVE before Jesus RETURNS!

This is how we are to “watch” and be alert” in this parable:

· Use your faith to use your gift!

· be ready before Jesus returns

The loser side: the gift of the faithless can be taken from them

The winning side: The faithful can gain someone else’s gift!

How are you using God’s gift?

[5]

[1]Mangum, D., ed. (2020). Lexham Context Commentary: New Testament (Mt 25:14–30). Lexham Press. [2]Halley, H. H. (2000). Halley’s Bible handbook with the New International Version.(Completely rev. and expanded., p. 679). Zondervan Publishing House. [3]Barry, J. D. (2018). Parables: Portraits of God’s Kingdom in Matthew, Mark, and Luke (p. 50). Lexham Press; Bible Study Magazine. [4]Willmington, H. L. (1999). The Outline Bible (Mt 25:13–30). Tyndale House Publishers. [5]Barry, J. D. (2018). Parables: Portraits of God’s Kingdom in Matthew, Mark, and Luke (p. 51). Lexham Press; Bible Study Magazine.