Parable of the Talents Matthew 25:14-30 Stewardship

Parable of the Cereal Aisle

Parable of the Talents Matthew 25:14-30 When God calls us to breakfast, He’s offering a whole lot more than just Cheerios!

“Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” Parable of the Fig Tree: Signs of when He is near. Parable of the Ten Virgins: Wait expectantly for Him. Parable of the Talents: Work exceptionally with Him.

What does it mean to “work with Jesus until He comes”? We should invest time in church and Bible study. What about the time when we are not in church or Bible study? We should be intentional about sharing the gospel. What about those times when we are not sharing the gospel? We should be giving generously to the local church. What about the rest of our time and money?

What is stewardship? God forms and then fills creation. God forms Eden and then fills it with man. God invites man to cultivate and keep what God has created. God gives Adam and Eve a commission to steward all of what He created. “be fruitful and multiply…fill the earth…subdue it…and rule over it”

What is stewardship? Being responsible for making the most of the people…opportunities…and resources so that God may be honored…others would be benefited…and our joy may indeed be full.

For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves, and entrusted his possessions to them. It’s highly relational. It involves people…opportunities…resources. It involves a high degree of trust.

What has God entrusted to you? And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. Talent: A unit of measure; 200 pounds of gold. $1410.35/oz X 200lbs = $4,513,120 What has God entrusted to you?

And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. How has God made you? What are your abilities? What significant events has God used to shape you? Why did He make you this way? Why has He entrusted you with these things?

Immediately, the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents. In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more. But he who received the one talent went away and dug in the ground, and hid his master’s money. Therefore, be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16

With responsibility comes the opportunity to put truth into practice With responsibility comes the opportunity to put truth into practice. With resources comes the opportunity to reveal our heart.

What is your vision for making the most of the people, opportunities and resources that have been entrusted to you?

Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. And the one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, “Master, you entrusted five talents to me; see, I have gained five more talents.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful slave; you were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things, enter into the joy of your master.”

Stewardship is about growing…making the most The one who had received the two talents came up and said, “Master, you entrusted two talents to me; see, I have gained two more talents.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful slave; you were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things, enter into the joy of your master.” Stewardship is about growing…making the most of something…being fruitful and multiplying…being faithful and beneficial…and experiencing joy!

Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Stewardship is a life long mission of making the most of the people…opportunities…and resources that we have been entrusted with.

And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, “Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed. And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground; see, you have what is yours.”

But his master answered and said the him, “You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I scattered no seed. Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest.” We can see God in the story. We can see Adam and Eve in the story. But, do you see YOU in the story?

“Therefore, take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents. For to every one who has shall more be given, and he shall have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. And cast out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”