Stewardship Series: TALENT
Preaching Portion: Matthew 25:14-30
Subject: Talents
Theme: Faithful Use of Talents
INTRO: The statement; “…cast the worthless servant into
outer darkness…” is not what we would expect to hear as a result of not loosing
something you were given charge over.
- Immediately
following the parable of the “Wise and Foolish Virgins” (MT. 25:1-13), we
find Jesus telling the parable of the “Talents” (MT. 25:14-30).
- While
both parables relate to the kingdom of heaven, and especially in anticipation
of the Lord’s return, note the key difference:
- The
first stresses the need to be “prepared;” the latter, the need to be
“productive.”
- The
first emphasizes “watching”
for the Lord; the latter, “working”
for the Lord.
- In
both parables we learn what should characterize those who eagerly WAIT for
the coming of the Lord. How can we best apply what Jesus is teaching in
this parable?
PROP: Every person that confesses Christ as Lord must be
productive.
T.S: Every person that confesses Christ as Lord can be
productive by gleaning insights from the parable found in Matthew 24:14-30.
1) The
Parable and Its’ Lessons
a) The
Parable Analyzed
i) A
man, about to travel to a far country, distributes his goods (talents) among
his servants – vv.14-15.
(1) A “talent”
here is a monetary measure, amounting to 6000 denarii which the average laborer
would take twenty years to accumulate. Our modern day comparison would be 1
denarii = $20/day.
(2) The number
of talents was given to each according to his own ability.
ii) The
use made of the talents is described in vv.16-18
(1) Two
servants doubled their talents
(2) One servant
simply hid the money
iii) The
Lord of the servants returns and a reckoning is made – vv.19-30
(1) His return
was after a long time
(2) The first
two servants describe how they doubled their amount…
(a) They
stand before the Lord with excitement (implied in the word “look” (ϊδε – “to
enthusiastically behold”)
(b) The Lord
was pleased
(i) He
praised them for their work saying, “Well done”
(ii) He commends
them both as “good and faithful servants”
(iii) He rewards them
by promoting them; “you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler
over many things”
(3) The servant
who hid his money then faces his lord…
(a) He
begins by making excuses
(i) “Lord,
I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown…”
(ii) “I was
afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground.”
(b) He seeks to
appease the lord by returning what he had been given: “Look, there you have
what is yours…” It is interesting to note the same word for “look” is used of
the wicked servant. He was equally enthusiastic about not having lost the
money.
(4) The lord’s
response…
(a) He
calls him a wicked and lazy servant
(b) He tells
him what the least he should have done; “…you ought to have deposited my money
with the bankers…”
(c) He
takes away what he had, and gave it to the servant with ten talents, with this
explanation:
(i) “For
everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance”
(ii) “But from
him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away”
(d) He has the
unprofitable servant cast in the outer darkness, where there will be weeping
and gnashing of teeth.
b) The
Parable Applied
i) Main
points of the parable
(1) Be faithful
in using the opportunities for service which the Lord has given us
(2) Diligence
is rewarded; negligence is punished
ii) Other
points of application
(1) Whatever we
have, whether opportunities or abilities, it all belongs to God; we may possess,
but God owns; we are simply stewards – v.14
(2) The Lord
grants opportunities of service in keeping with our ability to make use of them
– v.15
(a) In
the day of judgment, the number of talents will not matter
(b) The
question will be, “Have you been faithful in your use of talents?”
(3) Jesus did
not expect to return immediately – vv.5 & 19
(4) Everything
we do should be done with a view on the day of reckoning which is coming - 10 For wwe
must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, xso that
each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good
or evil.[1]
2 Cor. 5:10 ESV
(5) To share in
the Master’s joy is part of the glory of eternity – v.21
(6) Those who
make excuses are “WICKED and LAZY” – vv.25-26
(7) A place of
punishment is prepared for those who are unproductive – v.30 [The story of the
unproductive tree being cut down stands as a vivid reminder of Christ’s
seriousness about productivity – Matthew 3:10
(8) The sin of
OMISSION is just as bad as the sin of COMMISSION! – v.30
iii) The
main lesson: “Be productive where the
Lord has given you ability and opportunity!
Conclusion
- If we
are in the Kingdom, the Lord has given us all some ability in which to
serve Him. One day he is coming again and there will be a reckoning. Will
he find us prepared and productive?
- Do not
become like the lazy servant! Will the Lord say; “Well Done!”
- What
pronouncement the Lord declares then depends upon what you do now!
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