Sermon Devotional: The Parable of the Talents

Scripture:  Matthew 25:14-30 (ESV)


In broad strokes, the parables of Jesus are about the Kingdom that has Come and the Kingdom that is Coming. They teach profound spiritual truths that invite Jesus’ followers to consider their understanding of God and how to live as Kingdom subjects. On the surface, the Parable of the Talents is about stewardship. How do we steward the resources the Lord gives each of us? Looking deeper in, between the lines, the parable also asks additional questions of Jesus’ disciples. Who is the “man going on a journey” (v. 14)? What is expected of the servants? What motivates each servant in their stewardship of the man’s resources?
 
Who is the “man going on a journey"? He is very wealthy and he “entrusted his property” to his servants (v. 14). The property that the man assigns to each is of enormous value—one talent is worth twenty years’ wages, two talents is equal to forty years’ wages, and five talents equals one hundred years’ wages. The man also knows his servants well. He gives to each individual servant “according to his ability” (v. 15). What was expected of them was fully within their reach. The man also promises to return and the servants steward the man’s property with that expectation.

Just as the man knows the servants well, the servants also know the man and understand what is expected of them. Upon his return the man speaks the same blessing over the first two servants: “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” (vv. 21 and 23). The man expects faithful stewarding of the entrusted resources and the servants are rewarded with “the joy of their master.”  But the third servant who was entrusted one talent knew the man through the eyes of fear. “I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.” (v. 25). The servant was not stewarding the man’s property out of greed or negligence, but out of fear. It was fear that prompted the third servant to bury the property to keep it safe and to avoid theft or a risky investment. The man told him, “Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest” (v. 27).

The Parable of the Talents challenges us to remember the Coming Kingdom. There will be both salvation and judgment when Jesus returns to claim his own. He asks us to be faithful servants who do not shrink back in fear, but who seek to live faithfully, obediently, as we await “the joy of our Master.”

Consider –
╬   The Master gave to each servant “according to his ability.” Jesus is coming again and we will all give account of who we have been and what we have done. The Parable of the Talents asks us to make a somber assessment of our lives and stories as we await “the joy of our Master.” How does this parable challenge you?

╬   When has fear motivated you more than faithful obedience?

╬    Lord, you ask us to be engaged in kingdom work that is within our abilities as your followers. Remembering that you are coming again, help us to be good stewards of each day we have been given, and to be a blessing to those whom you have put in our lives. We worship you and pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.