In Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus tells a parable in which a man entrusted his property to his servants. To one he gave five talents, to another he gave two talents, and to another he gave one talent. When the man returned, the first two servants had doubled the talents, while the third servant only gave back was he had been given. The man praised and rewarded the first two servants, while he condemned the third servant, took away his talent, and cast him into the outer darkness.
Jesus has entrusted you with his property that you might engage in business with it. His disciples are not to sit around doing nothing, but are servants charged with responsibility. The church is the household of God, and historically households have been productive units, like companies. We are servants entrusted with our master’s property that we might make it profitable. The church is not like a sponge that just soaks in the water, but like a plant which receives water and produces things with it. And this applies to each of you individually - you each have a charge, a responsibility, a calling in the service of the Lord. The Lord Jesus has blessed you that you might bear fruit. Therefore, use the present time to serve the Lord as faithful stewards of his blessings, that you might receive his commendation at his return.
1. The Lord has equipped and charged his disciples to “engage in business” until he returns.
In verses 14-15, Jesus describes himself as a master going on a long journey and entrusting his property to his servants. He would ascend to heaven, equipping and charing his disciples to fulfill their duties in the earthly administration of his kingdom.
Notice that the servants did not receive equal talents, but were entrusted with different amounts based on their ability. Like a good manager, the Lord distributes various responsibilities to his servants with wisdom.
A “talent” was a large sum of money. A denarius was about a day’s wage, and a talent was 6,000 denarii, about 20 years of labor. In other words, these servants were entrusted with substantial capital for profitable business. Even the servant with one talent was given a great responsibility. Just as the master called them and entrusted them with these talents until he returned, so Jesus calls his disciples and equips them and charges them to work until he returns.
Therefore, use the present time to serve the Lord as faithful stewards of his blessings. Do not envy others for the ways God has blessed and given responsibilities to them. Each disciple has his or her own role. Each one is just as much a servant of the Lord as the other. What matters is not what you have been given, but how faithful you are with what you have been given. The first servant was given more, but he was also expected to produce more. Diligence is required of everyone. “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more” (Luke 12:48).
In verses 14-15, Jesus describes himself as a master going on a long journey and entrusting his property to his servants. He would ascend to heaven, equipping and charing his disciples to fulfill their duties in the earthly administration of his kingdom.
Notice that the servants did not receive equal talents, but were entrusted with different amounts based on their ability. Like a good manager, the Lord distributes various responsibilities to his servants with wisdom.
A “talent” was a large sum of money. A denarius was about a day’s wage, and a talent was 6,000 denarii, about 20 years of labor. In other words, these servants were entrusted with substantial capital for profitable business. Even the servant with one talent was given a great responsibility. Just as the master called them and entrusted them with these talents until he returned, so Jesus calls his disciples and equips them and charges them to work until he returns.
Therefore, use the present time to serve the Lord as faithful stewards of his blessings. Do not envy others for the ways God has blessed and given responsibilities to them. Each disciple has his or her own role. Each one is just as much a servant of the Lord as the other. What matters is not what you have been given, but how faithful you are with what you have been given. The first servant was given more, but he was also expected to produce more. Diligence is required of everyone. “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more” (Luke 12:48).
God’s word gives directions for his household’s management and how each one should serve him. His word not only directs you how to use Christ’s blessings, but it is itself a treasure Christ has entrusted to his church (1 Tim. 3:15, 2 Tim. 1:13-14). Each member is responsible to preserve it, maintain its doctrine, and make it fruitful. He gave us the sacred oracles that they would be received and believed, that they would dwell among us richly (Col. 3:16ff). Those who profitably use God's word with understanding will grow in wisdom, while those who do not will loose even what they have (Matt. 13:10-13).
2. Some disciples serve the Lord in accord with their calling, while others neglect this responsibility.
Verses 16-18 describe how two of the servants went and expanded the wealth of the household by engaging in business with their capital, while one servant went and buried his capital to hide it.
Likewise, some disciples go and extend the kingdom of Christ by serving him with what they have received, while others do not make use of his blessings. May you be one of those who use the present time to serve the Lord as faithful stewards of his blessings.
To “make a profit” with God’s blessings, remember the ends he has in blessing you: to renew you according to his image, to extend his glory and reign on earth, to make you a blessing to others. So direct your use of his blessings to these ends: your personal sanctification, God’s glory and reign on earth, the good of others, and the good of Christ’s household, the gathering and edifying of the saints (Matt. 5:13-16, Gal. 6:9-10).
As 1 Corinthians 7 and Colossians 3-4 teaches, serve the Lord where you are, occupying your station as service to Christ. Begin where you are, and if you have a lawful opportunity for a better use of your abilities, use it. In any case, it is not just church officers who serve the Lord. Every believer in his or her calling serves the Lord. You multiply your talents as you manifest faithfulness to the Lord in your earthly work, letting your light shine in every corner of this dark world.
Again, do not grow discouraged if the results of your service are not spectacular compared to others. One servant made two more talents and the other made five, being given different talents to begin with. Both were good and faithful servants. Likewise, the seeds in good soil bore different amount of produce, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. The main point is that a good servant is an active servant, a producer not only a consumer of blessing, a fruitful rather than a dead plant. Be encouraged with what inward grace you see, and seek to continually double it.
3. When the Lord returns, he will commend and reward good and faithful servants.
Verses 19-23 describe how the master returned and praised the faithful servants, giving them more.
He returned “after a long time.” The time between Christ's first and second comings was not going to be short. Christ's disciples have need of endurance and perseverance as they serve the Lord.
But thought he is gone for a long time, yet the master will indeed come and settle accounts. This refers to the final judgment at Christ's second coming (notice that they are the same event).
On that day, the good works of believers will be revealed and praised. The Lord’s response to both diligent servants was, “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.” True disciples will be commended by the Lord Jesus and will enter into his joy and prosperity, receiving their eternal inheritance.
Notice how these great sums of money formerly entrusted to them are described as “a little.” His present blessings are tremendous, but they are “little” compared to the glory that awaits.
Now, how can we be described as good and faithful servants? Does this passage teach salvation by works?
First, this parable does not portray all people and ask whether they have sinned or not. As in many of these parables, it portrays the disciples of Christ and asks whether they are genuine or not. Their relationship to the Lord Jesus is what saves them, and their works demonstrate that relationship.
Second, believing Christians can be described as good and faithful servants not because they are flawless, but because they have been born again (so that they have the ability to do good) and they have been clothed with Christ’s righteousness (so that every sin is covered and your person and your sincere good works are accepted by God through Christ).
Third, in the parable, the servants’ work did not earn their reward. They were servants who did what they were supposed to do (Luke 17:7-10). The master was not obligated to set them over much. Both the talents and the reward are graciously given by a generous master. The Lord rewards us not on the basis of our merit, but on the basis of his grace. As Colossians 3:24 says, we receive the inheritance as our reward. The basis for this reward is found in Christ’s redemptive work which has secured it as an inheritance for those who believe in him.
Therefore, use the present time to serve the Lord as faithful stewards of his blessings. However much you may be derided or persecuted for your faithfulness here, know that you shall by no means loose your reward. You serve the Lord Christ, and he will not forget you.
However much you may need to sacrifice and strive, it will be worth it to have followed Jesus. It can be difficult to serve the Lord, to subdue the flesh, to resist the world and the devil, to hold fast to the truth. But it will be worth it to hear him say, “well done, good and faithful servant.”
Keep this future coming in mind as you find motivation to faithfully serve the Lord. Work in hope. His triumph will be your triumph, his joy shall be your joy, his prosperity will be your prosperity.
4. When the Lord returns, he will rebuke and punish wicked and slothful servants.
Verses 24-30 describe the judgment of the slothful servant. The slothful servant immediately bursts into excuses even before he gives back his talent. He pleads fear. He personifies Proverbs 22:13, “The sluggard says, ‘There is a lion outside! I shall be killed in the streets!’”
The excuses of slothful disciples will fall flat on that day, just this excuse falls flat. Even if the master had been a hard master, the servant could have invested the money with the bankers. As David Dickson says, “Let a man deceive himself now as he list, and please himself with pretenses as he will, all excuses shall be retorted [turned back] and made matter of his condemnation, and the unfaithful servant shall be cast into hell.” Regardless of his excuse, he had been slothful and negligent.
His slothfulness and his excuse were evidences that he had lacked faith in Christ and love for Christ. Faith in Christ motivates a person to follow Christ, to trustingly act upon his instructions. Love for Christ spurs a person to faithfully serve him. But a person without faith and love will shrivel up under difficulty. Whatever privileges he has will remain unfruitful and will be taken away.
Therefore, use the present time to serve the Lord as faithful stewards of his blessings. Take heed of this warning and turn away from the ways of this unprofitable servant. Cast away slothfulness. Be careful not to excuse your negligence. As Romans 12:11 says, “Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.”
Do not fear the Lord in such a way as to avoid him and his service. Fear him with godly reverence, but not with timid fright. Supplant that timidity with faith and love. His yoke is easy and his burden is light. Jesus judges those who refuse to serve him, but he is gentle and forgiving to those who come to him and receive his yoke.
Conclusion
The Lord Jesus has blessed you that you might bear fruit. He has equipped you and charged you to engage in business until he comes. You are not called to be idle, but to be active, serving the Lord. Therefore, go out from here to serve the Lord as faithful stewards of his blessings, that you might receive his commendation at his return.
Notice how these great sums of money formerly entrusted to them are described as “a little.” His present blessings are tremendous, but they are “little” compared to the glory that awaits.
Now, how can we be described as good and faithful servants? Does this passage teach salvation by works?
First, this parable does not portray all people and ask whether they have sinned or not. As in many of these parables, it portrays the disciples of Christ and asks whether they are genuine or not. Their relationship to the Lord Jesus is what saves them, and their works demonstrate that relationship.
Second, believing Christians can be described as good and faithful servants not because they are flawless, but because they have been born again (so that they have the ability to do good) and they have been clothed with Christ’s righteousness (so that every sin is covered and your person and your sincere good works are accepted by God through Christ).
Third, in the parable, the servants’ work did not earn their reward. They were servants who did what they were supposed to do (Luke 17:7-10). The master was not obligated to set them over much. Both the talents and the reward are graciously given by a generous master. The Lord rewards us not on the basis of our merit, but on the basis of his grace. As Colossians 3:24 says, we receive the inheritance as our reward. The basis for this reward is found in Christ’s redemptive work which has secured it as an inheritance for those who believe in him.
Therefore, use the present time to serve the Lord as faithful stewards of his blessings. However much you may be derided or persecuted for your faithfulness here, know that you shall by no means loose your reward. You serve the Lord Christ, and he will not forget you.
However much you may need to sacrifice and strive, it will be worth it to have followed Jesus. It can be difficult to serve the Lord, to subdue the flesh, to resist the world and the devil, to hold fast to the truth. But it will be worth it to hear him say, “well done, good and faithful servant.”
Keep this future coming in mind as you find motivation to faithfully serve the Lord. Work in hope. His triumph will be your triumph, his joy shall be your joy, his prosperity will be your prosperity.
4. When the Lord returns, he will rebuke and punish wicked and slothful servants.
Verses 24-30 describe the judgment of the slothful servant. The slothful servant immediately bursts into excuses even before he gives back his talent. He pleads fear. He personifies Proverbs 22:13, “The sluggard says, ‘There is a lion outside! I shall be killed in the streets!’”
The excuses of slothful disciples will fall flat on that day, just this excuse falls flat. Even if the master had been a hard master, the servant could have invested the money with the bankers. As David Dickson says, “Let a man deceive himself now as he list, and please himself with pretenses as he will, all excuses shall be retorted [turned back] and made matter of his condemnation, and the unfaithful servant shall be cast into hell.” Regardless of his excuse, he had been slothful and negligent.
His slothfulness and his excuse were evidences that he had lacked faith in Christ and love for Christ. Faith in Christ motivates a person to follow Christ, to trustingly act upon his instructions. Love for Christ spurs a person to faithfully serve him. But a person without faith and love will shrivel up under difficulty. Whatever privileges he has will remain unfruitful and will be taken away.
Therefore, use the present time to serve the Lord as faithful stewards of his blessings. Take heed of this warning and turn away from the ways of this unprofitable servant. Cast away slothfulness. Be careful not to excuse your negligence. As Romans 12:11 says, “Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.”
Do not fear the Lord in such a way as to avoid him and his service. Fear him with godly reverence, but not with timid fright. Supplant that timidity with faith and love. His yoke is easy and his burden is light. Jesus judges those who refuse to serve him, but he is gentle and forgiving to those who come to him and receive his yoke.
Conclusion
The Lord Jesus has blessed you that you might bear fruit. He has equipped you and charged you to engage in business until he comes. You are not called to be idle, but to be active, serving the Lord. Therefore, go out from here to serve the Lord as faithful stewards of his blessings, that you might receive his commendation at his return.
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