Matthew 25:14-30
“For it is like a man going on a journey, who summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.
The one who had received five talents went off right away and put his money to work and gained five more. In the same way, the one who had two gained two more. But the one who had received one talent went out and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money in it.
After a long time, the master of those slaves came and settled his accounts with them. The one who had received the five talents came and brought five more, saying, ‘Sir, you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’ His master answered, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful in a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’
The one with the two talents also came and said, ‘Sir, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more.’ His master answered, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful with a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’
Then the one who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Sir, I knew that you were a hard man, harvesting where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’
But his master answered, ‘Evil and lazy slave! So you knew that I harvest where I didn’t sow and gather where I didn’t scatter? Then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received my money back with interest!
Therefore take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten. For the one who has will be given more, and he will have more than enough. But the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. And throw that worthless slave into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
The Scriptures quoted are from the NET Bible® http://netbible.com copyright ©1996, 2019 used with permission from Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.
COMMENT & QUESTIONS
This is another parable that Jesus gives about being prepared while waiting for His Second Coming. Who does the master of the slaves represent in this story?
What do you think Jesus is referring to when the master goes on a journey and then returns after a long time to settle accounts?
Jesus is the master of the slaves who will depart from the earth only to return at an unexpected time in the future. When He returns, He will settle accounts. This is referring to Him asking us to account for the opportunities and abilities that He has given to us. This is a picture of the judgement day.
What are some of the things that God has given you today? (Time, opportunities, abilities etc.) How might you use them most wisely in God’s service?
Think about who you can talk to today. Think about any ways that you are able to serve another person. Think about the church and what role you might be able to play in your local congregation. Think about important jobs like cleaning, showing hospitality, encouraging, teaching and supporting. If you really feel like there are no opportunities before you today, remember that you can always pray. The church always needs more prayers.
PRAYERS
Pray that Christians around the world today will serve God diligently and work hard in His Kingdom Pray that we will see how we can use what God has given us and not be lazy Thanks for the ‘talents’ which God gives to each of us