Matthew 25:14–30 (NKJV)
14 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ 21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’
Matthew 25:14-25
Jesus shares another parable in order to teach a lesson about readiness for the rapture. A master gave three of his servants segments of his kingdom. A talent was a measure of weight. If the talent was made of silver, it would equal about 6,000 denarii (a day’s wage}. In today’s economy, that would be equivalent to a million dollars. What great responsibility the master gave his servants! One received five talents, another three, and a third servant received one. After a long time, the master returned and reckoned with his servants. The one who had five had earned five more. The one with two had earned two more. The master praised both of them and made them rulers over many things in the kingdom.
He then reckoned with the servant who had received only one talent, and he confessed to having only buried it in the ground and returning only the one to the master. He fearfully did not move into any prosperity possibilities on behalf of the master, and-as oppsed to the other two servants-did not use his talent. Some automatically interpret this parable as referring to the talents (abilities) God gives a person that should be used for His glory While this is applicable, the parable actually encompasses every gift and ability and resource a person is given by God. What are we doing with everything God has given us? That question, the wholistic question, is the one we must answer.
26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.
29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Matthew 25:26-30
The master responded to the fearful or lazy servant with a stiff rebuke, calling him wicked and sending him outer darkness. His talent was given to another and he was not awarded leadership over other areas of the master’s kingdom. The outer darkness is often symbolic of hell or eternal punishment. What is the moral of this story?
First, it is important to understand that this story does not mean that works saves you. However, it does point out the importance of serving God in courage and without fear, working to expand the kingdom for His glory. God sees what you do for Him and how you do it as indicators of your relationship with Him. So, although works do not save you, they are an indicator of your love for God. What do your works say about your love for God? What will you have to offer the Lord when He comes back? What have you done with the resources God left in your hands? Purpose today to take the talent out of the ground and put it to work for the master. The reward will be astounding!
Artwork from https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Matt%2025
LIVE@5 – November 10, 2021
Devoted To You 