The Parable of the Talents

Matthew 25:14-30

Introduction

• Follows “The Ten Virgins”– Context is teaching about the Second

Coming of Jesus– “Ten Virgins” emphasized the need to

be prepared and watching

• “The Talents” is going to emphasize being productive and working

The Parable

• Mt 25:14-15– A man about to travel gives his servants

money– A “talent” = 6000 denarii• A denarius = 1 days wage = $60• A talent = $360,000

– One receives 5, one 2, one 1• $1.8million, $720,000, $360,000• Each according to his ability

The Parable

• Mt 25:16-18– The first two double the money– The third simply hides the money for

safety

The Parable

• Mt 25:19-23– The return is “after a long time”– The first two servants eagerly announce their

results– Their master was pleased• Each is praised, “Well done”• Each commended as a “good and faithful

servant”• Each rewarded, “put in charge of many things”• Each invited to “enter into the joy of your

master”

The Parable

• Mt 25:24-30– The third servant begins with excuses• “I knew …” and “I was afraid …”

– Attempts to appease his master• “You have what is yours”

– His master is displeased• “a wicked and lazy servant”• Should at least have gained interest• Takes away what he had and gives to the first• Cast into “outer darkness”

The meaning of the parable• Jesus is the master who is going away• His disciples are the servants• The talents are everything we have– Money, jobs, health, abilities, family, etc.– What we have BELONGS to God, we are merely

caretakers (stewards)– We have what God thinks we can use– God expects us to be putting ALL that we have in

service for Him– Jesus will not return for “a long time”– Your reward not based on how much you have, but on

how you used what you have

Application

• Everything should be done while looking toward the judgment (2 Cor 5:10)

• If we serve faithfully, we will share in the Lord’s joy (2 Thes 1:10-12)

• If we are unfaithful, we will be punished (2 Thes 1:6-9)

Using your talents

• Before you can use them, you need to know what you have– Not everyone has same talents or same number– Rom 12:3-8– Some talents are easy to see (e.g., money)– Some talents have to be trained (e.g., teaching)– To know what you have, you need to try

everything• Don’t give up if you feel you are no good at first• You may be burying a talent given to you

Conclusion

• The Lord has given ALL of us some “talents”– He expects us to be making full use of them

while He is gone–When He comes He expects to find us prepared

and show evidence we have been productive–When He comes He expects to find us watching

and to find us working• Will He say to you, “Well done, good and

faithful servant”?• Or will He say “You wicked and lazy slave”?