The Parable of the Talents

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. 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. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. "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.' 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.' 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.' 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.' "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. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.' "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. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. '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. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' (Matthew 25:14-30).

In the Parable of the Talents, Jesus stressed the need for Christians to serve the Lord in the intervening time between His ascension and return. It is our opportunity to take the blessings of the Lord and invest them in the lives of others. Jesus said (Matthew 28:18-20), All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. We are to take the Gospel of Jesus and invest it in the lives of others by making disciples for Christ and His Kingdom. He has given us the resources to do that (all things I have commanded you). He has given us the methods we are to use to do that (baptizing, teaching). He has given us the support and encouragement to do that (I am with you always). All that is left for us is to obey as agents of Christ in investing His Kingdom into the lives of others.

The return of the Lord will be a day of rejoicing. It will also be a day of reckoning. The lost will be judged and condemned. The saved will be accountable to Him for their lives of service and will be rewarded for that service.

“Lord Jesus, keep us faithful in serving You to the salvation of others and to Your glory and praise. Amen.” 

Pastor