Today's study comes from Matthew 25: 14-30. This teaching is part of what has been called the Olivet Discourse. Jesus had told the disciples that the "buildings of the temple" would be destroyed. The disciples asked Jesus three questions:
1. When shall these things be?
2. What shall be the sign of thy coming?
3. When the world end?
Jesus answers by relating three signs and three parables. The three signs were:
1. Signs of the present age (Matthew 25:5-14).
2. Signs of the Great Tribulation (24: 15-28).
3. Signs of the coming of the Son of Man (24: 29-42).
The three parables were:
1. The Parable of the Two Servants (24: 43-51).
2. The Parable of the Ten Virgins (25: 1-13).
3. The Parable of the Talents (25: 14-30).
This parable is recorded only in the book of Matthew. The The lesson is divided into three parts: "Talents Entrusted," "Talent Invested," and "Talents Neglected."
The first section is "Talents Entrusted." (vv. 15-18) All believers have received some talent from the Lord. Some may play an instrument, sing, preach, teach, cook, or any one of a number of skills to further the kingdom of God. We are to receive those talents given. The parable emphasizes this need for personal preparation and faithful service to the Lord. Jesus was alluding to the fact that He would be returning to His Father and that He was entrusting His followers to carry on His ministry. The master "called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods." Jesus is the Master and we are the servants.
The word "talents" in our day refers to a God-given ability. In this parable a talent was the largest unit of money. It weighed about 96 ponds. We are not told whether the talent was gold or silver, but either one would be worth a large fortune. The talents were distributed, not randomly, but "to every man according to his several ability." We all don't have the same gifts and talents, but whatever we do have should receive the same level of faithfulness. The servants who received the five and two talents "went and traded with the same." There was no hesitation, only a desire to improve the wealth of the owner. In contrast, the servant that received one talent "went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money." Since he was not about building his master's kingdom, whose kingdom was he building? We should inquire of ourselves, whose kingdom are we building?
The second section is "Talents Invested." (vv. 19-23) In these verses, the lord returns and reviews the efforts of the first two servants. The one with five talents brought five additional talents. He acknowledged that what he started with came from the lord. The lord gives him praise, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant...." He is told to "enter thou into the joy of thy lord." The same review is done with the servant who had received two talents. The praise is the same from the lord. The one with two talents brought those two, plus two more.
The section summarizes some very practical truths for us:
1. Life is a gift from God and we should invest it back for the Lord's gain.
2. It does not matter how much talent you have, the praise is the same for all those that dedicate their life to the Lord's business.
3. We all will give an account to God.
The third section is "Talent Neglected." (vv. 24-30) In this final section, we see what occurred when the one that received only one talent did nothing with it. The following are the principles of this portion of Scripture:
1. The servant blamed his neglect on the master. "Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man."
2. The choice is between faith or fear. The servant operated in fear. "I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth."
3. Those who neglect or fail to improve the "talent" will be punished. "Thou wicked and slothful servant."
4. The failure to extend the master's domain resulted in the loss of what the servant had originally. "Take therefore the talent from him." He was called an "unprofitable servant" and cast "into outer darkness."
John Wesley said, "He never knew God, who thinks him a hard master." It is clear to me that the unprofitable servant was not a true believer, but rather typifies a hypocrite hiding in the church.
The Golden Text is, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant...enter thou into the joy of thy lord." (Matthew 25:21) We are to render service to our Lord Jesus Christ based on a love relationship with Him. He is not a hard taskmaster. To think He is, is to reveal that you are not one of His. We should earnestly desire to further the kingdom of God at every opportunity and on every occasion.
My summary points:
1. God has given us each talents that we should use to build His kingdom and bring glory to His name.
2. Our lives are a gift from God that we use for His glory.
3. We are to be faithful, not out of fear, but out of love.
Next week, "The Last Supper." (Matthew 26: 17-32)
Please read the Sunday School Beacon for inspiration and encouragement.
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