2. The Parable of the Talents
Matthew 25:14-30

3. Introduction Follows “The Ten Virgins”
Context is teaching about the Second Coming of Jesus
“Ten Virgins” emphasized the need to be prepared and watching
“The Talents” is going to emphasize being productive and working

4. The Parable Mt 25:14-15 A man about to travel gives his servants money
A “talent” = 6000 denarii
A denarius = 1 days wage = $60
A talent = $360,000
One receives 5, one 2, one 1
$1.8million, $720,000, $360,000
Each according to his ability

5. The Parable Mt 25:16-18 The first two double the money
The third simply hides the money for safety

6. The Parable Mt 25:19-23 The return is “after a long time”
The first two servants eagerly announce their results
Their master was pleased
Each is praised, “Well done”
Each commended as a “good and faithful servant”
Each rewarded, “put in charge of many things”
Each invited to “enter into the joy of your master”

7. The Parable Mt 25:24-30 The third servant begins with excuses
“I knew …” and “I was afraid …”
Attempts to appease his master
“You have what is yours”
His master is displeased
“a wicked and lazy servant”
Should at least have gained interest
Takes away what he had and gives to the first
Cast into “outer darkness”

8. The meaning of the parable
Jesus is the master who is going away
His disciples are the servants
The talents are everything we have
Money, jobs, health, abilities, family, etc.
What we have BELONGS to God, we are merely caretakers (stewards)
We have what God thinks we can use
God expects us to be putting ALL that we have in service for Him
Jesus will not return for “a long time”
Your reward not based on how much you have, but on how you used what you have

9. Application
Everything should be done while looking toward the judgment (2 Cor 5:10)
If we serve faithfully, we will share in the Lord’s joy (2 Thes 1:10-12)
If we are unfaithful, we will be punished (2 Thes 1:6-9)

10. Using your talents
Before you can use them, you need to know what you have
Not everyone has same talents or same number
Rom 12:3-8
Some talents are easy to see (e.g., money)
Some talents have to be trained (e.g., teaching)
To know what you have, you need to try everything
Don’t give up if you feel you are no good at first
You may be burying a talent given to you

11. Conclusion The Lord has given ALL of us some “talents”
He expects us to be making full use of them while He is gone
When He comes He expects to find us prepared and show evidence we have been productive
When He comes He expects to find us watching and to find us working
Will He say to you, “Well done, good and faithful servant”?
Or will He say “You wicked and lazy slave”?