It helps to understand today’s parable in sequence with the ones around it.
From Matthew 24:45 to 25:46, Jesus is telling a series of parables that relate to end times, and also to the qualities that we as His followers must have.
The first parable in this series was about “a faithful servant”, a small group of anointed ones who have a responsibility to teach God’s people. Be ready, be mindful who you hang out with and that you don’t take on attributes of the ungodly. From there the Word uses the parable that Michelle wrote about yesterday, the parable of the Ten Virgins. Again, be ready...keep the fuel of the Holy Spirit in your lamps and don’t let your light burn out. Todd preached last Sunday and mentioned 2 Peter 1 -- This chapter has a great word for those looking to keep God’s Holy Spirit front-and-center in their lives.
Today, we get a little more personal and a little more specific in the Parable of Talents. Once you have that fuel burning in your lamp, it should light the gifts and resources God has for you.
But you cannot unlock these gifts out of compulsion or guilt -- let’s discern today’s reading to find out the way.
Matthew 25:14-30
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.’
[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?
+ What does “Enter into the joy of your master” tell you your posture should be towards using the resources God gave you?
+ In verse 24-25, what does the slothful servant’s response say about many people’s posture towards and ideas of our Savior and His nature?
+ Will they be with or without excuse?
+ Verse 29 says that more will be given to those who faithfully invest, even to the point of abundance. What does this mean? John 17:20-25 has great “bonus” reading that encapsulates the reason for working to our highest and using our talents to His glory. It is not a race against others for any reward. Intimacy with Jesus and the feeling of His love is the reward.
[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?
+ Is there a sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Are you pouring out as much of your treasures as you can? If not, what holds you back? Is it fear? Is it unbelief? Apathy? If you feel any of these, there are remedies. Prayer and earnestly seeking the Lord’s face... coming into tighter community with your church...exhorting your elders to help you serve more radically. The one thing you don’t want to do is sit in guilt or seize up. God loves you and could do everything He wanted with or without you. Rejoice that He chooses to resource you to do it with Him!
[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?
+ What is my next step?