Big Idea: Jesus lays out our responsibility while we wait for his return. We are to be always mindful that he is coming back and he has entrusted to us the care for his kingdom.
Three practical lessons we learn from the parable of the talents;
1. The Lord gives us ________________________ for his Kingdom.
Matthew 25:14 (ESV) — 14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property.
This parable takes up the question, which that of the bridesmaids left unanswered: what is ‘readiness’? It is not a matter of passively ‘waiting’, but of responsible activity, producing results which the coming ‘master’ can see and approve. For the period of waiting was not intended to be an empty, meaningless ‘delay’, but a period of opportunity to put to good use the ‘talents’ entrusted to his ‘slaves’.
What we see in this passage is that the master is handing over a great responsibility. He is handing over care of his entire property, and that care must be divided up and responsibilities distributed to his many hands.
1 Corinthians 4:7 (ESV) — 7 For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?
1 Corinthians 12:4–7, 11 (ESV) — 4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good… 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
Luke 17:7–10 (ESV) — 7 “Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table’? 8 Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink’? 9 Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? 10 So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’ ”
2. The Lord __________________ Faithfulness.
Matthew 25:21 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.’
God is calling each of us to be faithful.
Faithful obedience is first an issue of the heart.
3. The Lord ______________________ us with Himself.
Matthew 25:21 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.’
Our greatest investment is in the kingdom of God because our greatest reward is God Himself.
Questions to Consider
– ¬What responsibilities has the Lord given you in the care of his kingdom? How might you use these responsibilities to invest in others?
– Is God asking you to answer for the talents of another servant? Why or why not?
– Are you satisfied that the Lord is your reward for service or do you desire something more? What does this say about your heart? How might the Lord be calling you to turn from yourself and towards him?
