PARABLE OF THE TALENTS
Summary of the Parable
The parable begins with a man preparing to take a trip. Before he leaves, he brings his servants together and gives each some money (talents), one is given 5, another is given 2 and the last one is given one.
Well Done – Faithful Servant
Matthew 5:19 says, “After a long time the master came home and asked the servants what they did with his money.” The servant given 5 talents had invested them and doubled his money. The same for the servant given two talents. The master commends both of them with these powerful words, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”
Wicked & Lazy Servant
However, the servant who had been given one talent dug a hole and buried it. When he gave the master back his one talent the master reprimands him with these words, “You are a wicked and lazy servant!” This may sound harsh and unfair, but there is nothing in this parable to indicate the master was anything but reasonable and fair to his servants.
Lesson on Stewardship
Many lessons can be gleaned from the Parable of the Talents, but primarily Jesus is teaching us the importance of stewardship and that we will be held accountable for what we do with what He has given us – our time, abilities, money, opportunities, people, etc. God wants us to be good stewards with all the resources He has given us for His glory and for the sake of the Kingdom. It doesn’t matter what we have or how much we have we are judged the same. What are we doing with what we do have?
Law of Faithfulness
When you are faithful with the little you have, God will bless you with more. It is a principle of the kingdom. However, if you are stingy, lazy, fearful, and withhold what you have you will lose what you have. “Those who have much will get more, and they will have much more than they need. But those who do not have much will have everything taken away from them.” (Matthew 25:29)
The Last Days
The context of this parable is Jesus answering the disciples’ questions about the last days. In Matthew 24 Jesus talks of the coming destruction of Jerusalem, His return, and other end times events. The disciples ask for more details. Part of His response includes the parable the 10 virgins, and the parable of the talents.
Jesus is Coming Back
This story is a reminder that one day Jesus will be coming back and we will have to give Him an account of what we have done. This is not something to dread, but to be excited about and encouraged by. It means we have some work to do, so let’s invest what God has given us wisely.
With that being said, here are 3 questions I want you to consider.
- What Has God Given You?
- What Are You Doing with It?
- What Will Jesus Say to You on That Day?
I encourage you to consider what God has entrusted and placed in you. Consider what he is asking you to do. Whatever God has tasked you to do, work at it with all your might, being the best you can be and doing all you can for the kingdom of God. It will all be worth it.