The Parable of the Talents

"Everything comes in time to he who knows how to wait." - Leo Tolstoy

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.

it = the Kingdom of Heaven

Romans 8:23 ESV

23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

a man going on a journey = Jesus

entrusted to them his property = God entrusted us with His creation

Matthew 25:15-23 ESV

15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 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.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ 23 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.’

We have been given time, talent, and resources to make the hope of Jesus known.

Plot Twist: Life is not simply waiting to die.

"It is not enough for Jesus's followers to 'hang in there' and wait for the end. They must see themselves as servants...who improve what their Master entrusts to them." - D.A. Carson

There is a work in the waiting.

Matthew 25:24-30 ESV

24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 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. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

God praises your faithfulness – not your production.

Unwillingness – not ineffectiveness – is the great danger.

Those who obey Christ will gain everything; those who do not will lose everything.

"They sit down on the shady side of godliness and never bask in the sun which shines full upon it." - Charles Spurgeon