Matthew 25-14-30
Don’t waste your talents
Prayer for illumination: please join me in prayer…
Sermon introduction:
Some people are really talented… After I had been playing guitar for roughly two years I listened to a
16-year kid play guitar and he was way better than me. I asked him, “how long have you been playing?” He
answered, “about two months.” I realized two things. I was not a talented musician and this kid was, so I quit.
Others are really talented athletes. I had a friend in high school who excelled at every sport. He was all
league in Football and Basketball and those were not even his best sport. Although he was offered a full
scholarship to play football at UW he ended up accepting a full scholarship to play Volleyball at USC. He was
a talented athlete.
Bill Gates, John D. Rockefeller, and Andrew Carnegie were are talented at making money.
Other people talented with people, talented artists, talented cooks, teachers, doctors, mathematicians, or
programmers.
Don’t you wish you had more talent? I do…
This brings us to Matthew 25:14-30 and the parable of the talents.
A parable is a short story designed to communicate a truth about the kingdom of God. We know this
parable is about the kingdom of God because of the connection between 25:1 and 25:14.
Matthew 25:1 (ESV) — 1 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps
and went to meet the bridegroom.
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.
The kingdom of God is the redemptive rule of King Jesus. Whenever someone submits to King Jesus
they enter God’s kingdom. When Jesus came the first time he inaugurated his kingdom. When he comes again
he will consummate his kingdom.
This parable communicates one simple truth about the kingdom of God. Here it is… God has given
every Christian talents. We must use these talents to advance Christ’s kingdom until he returns.
To help us understand this we will look at two things.
The king leaves
The king returns
First, the king leaves
What does the king do before he leaves? He gives talents to his servants.
Matthew 25:14–15 (ESV) — 14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants
and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each
according to his ability. Then he went away.
The master leaves and gives his servants talents. Servants in the ANE were often highly skilled
workers; accountants, teachers, and business experts. Some servants were put in charge of the entire household
even when the master was around.
Before the master in this story leaves he gives his servants talents. What are talents??? Today a talent is
a gift that someone possesses. Back then a talent was a measurement of money, allot of money. It was the
amount of money that a solider could carry on his back, usually around 75-100 pounds of gold or silver.
According to Osborne, this was the equivalent to $800,000 to $1,000,000 in today’s money, depending on the
value of Gold. In other words, this master gave each slave a small fortune.
He gave one slave 5 million dollars, another two million, and the last one he gave one million dollars.
The master of this story is Jesus. He is very generous. He has given the citizens of his kingdom
extravagant gifts. He has left, but he will return someday.
What does the king do before he leaves? He gives talents to his servants.
Let’s make some application…
Application:
What do the talents represent? Are they spiritual gifts, money, natural talents, relationships??? Yes!
One scholar writes,
“So a talent can mean the gift of knowledge, health, strength, time, intellect, advantages, opportunities,
‘various responsibilities’, (i.e. your jobs or vocations), perhaps people (a spouse, children, friend), and even
further natural abilities (talents as we think of the word). A talent can also mean or include ‘spiritual gifts’…,
such as the gift of teaching, administration, mercy, healing, and so on.” (Odonnell, 740)
A talent is anything good that God has given to you. We are to use everything that God has given us to
advance his kingdom. What does it mean to advance his kingdom? First and foremost, God’s kingdom is
advance when more people join it (i.e. evangelism). Second, it means that every square inch of our lives is
brought under the lordship of King Jesus.
In short, we use everything God has given us to extend his rule over as much of life as possible.
Maybe you are thinking, “I’m not very talented. Or I don’t have many resources. How can God use
me???”
He has given every Christian a gift to serve the church.
1 Corinthians 12:4–7 (ESV) — 4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are
varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who
empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
The bible lists at least 17…
a. Acts of Mercy-Rom. 12:6, 8
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
k.
l.
m.
n.
o.
p.
q.
Administration-1 Cor. 12:28
Discernment of Spirits-1 Cor. 12:10
Encouragement-Rom. 12:8; 1 Cor. 14:26
Evangelism-Eph. 4:11
Faith-1 Cor. 12:9; 1 Cor. 13:2
Giving Aid-Rom. 12:8; 1 Cor. 13:3
Healing-1 Cor. 12:9; 1 Cor. 12:28–29
Helping-1 Cor. 12:28
Speaking in Various Kinds of Tongues-1 Cor. 12:10; 1 Cor. 12:28–30; 1 Cor. 13:1; 1 Cor. 14:26
Interpreting Tongues-1 Cor. 12:10; 1 Cor. 12:30; 1 Cor. 14:26
Leadership-Rom. 12:8
Prophecy-Rom. 12:6; 1 Cor. 12:10; 1 Cor. 12:28–29; 1 Cor. 13:2; 1 Cor. 14:26, 29–32; Eph. 4:11
Service-Rom. 12:7; 1 Pet. 4:11
Teaching (and Pastoring)-Rom. 12:7; 1 Cor. 12:28–29; 1 Cor. 14:26; Eph. 4:11
Uttering Knowledge-1 Cor. 12:8; 1 Cor. 13:2
Uttering Wisdom-1 Cor. 12:8; 1 Cor. 13:2
You have been given a gift by God to serve the church which in turn advances God’s kingdom. How?
The church is the primary outpost of the kingdom of God. Therefore the church flies the flag of the coming
Kingdom.
But what is my gift? What do you feel called to do and where are the needs great…???
We should pray that God would help us use our gifts more frequently and effectively ( ps. 90:17)
Our gifts grow when we use them and shrink when we don’t… give examples… sports, music,
business, etc…
Let me say this, “talents” includes more than spiritual gifts.
Talents in the immediate context of Matthew 25 refers to money. The application for us is certainly
broader than money but narrower than money. God wants us to use our money to advance God’s kingdom.
This means giving sacrificially to support missionaries, help the poor and needy, the church, giving specifically
to our building fund, etc…
I want us to think hard about time and money… which we have in abundance in 21 st century America.
We don’t think we have time because we are involved in many things we don’t have to be involved in. In many
countries in the history of the world and throughout history people have little free time because there are
spending all their time merely trying to survive.
We have money, time, freedom, and health in abundance. God has given us these things to steward well
until he returns.
Why should I use my talents to advance God’s kingdom???
us to our second point.
First the king leaves…
Because the king will return… this brings
Second, the king returns
What does the king do when he returns? He rewards his faithful servants.
Matthew 25:19–23 (ESV) — 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.’
The master leaves and then “after a long time” the master returns and settles accounts with his servants.
Jesus left and will return to settle accounts with us. The Bible calls this the day of final judgment.
The master rewards his two faithful servants when he returns in three ways…
First, he gives them the reward of praise… “Well done, good and faithful servant…”
Sometimes when we get discouraged all we need is to hear some words of encouragement from a boss,
spouse, or friend. Imagine hearing these words from Jesus on the day of final judgment.
He is going to look at you and say your name, “Joe, Jane, Sam, Chris… well done… do you remember
that time you served in the nursery, remember that time you came at 7 am to serve on the set up team,
remember that time you brought a meal to that new mom in the church or that time your mowed your neighbors
grass… that pleased me.”
We can actually please God. Isn’t this encouraging. Some of you think that God is constantly frowning
on you. The Bible frequently describes God as being pleased with the saints when they obey him.
Second, he gives them the reward of responsibility… “You have been faithful over a little; I will set you
over much.”
In other words, “you have been faithful over little in this life, I will set you over much in my eternal
kingdom.”
Yes, the Bible talks about levels of reward in heaven.
2 Corinthians 5:10 (ESV) — 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each
one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
Revelation 11:18 (ESV) — 18 The nations raged, but your wrath came, and the time for the dead to be
judged, and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints, and those who fear your name, both small and
great,...”
Luke 19:17–19 (ESV) — 17 And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been
faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’ 18 And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your
mina has made five minas.’ 19 And he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’
See also 2 Ti. 4:7-8, 1 Cor. 9:24-27, Matt. 5:10-12, 1 Cor. 3:8
Qualify this… in Heaven everyone will be content and everyone will marvel and say, “God you gave
me the grace, power, and motivation for doing this why am I being rewarded?” God will says, “because I’m
gracious and kind.”
He gives them the reward of praise and the reward of responsibility…
Third, he gives them the reward of joy… “Enter into the joy of your master….” Heaven will be a place
of deep, unending, and ever increasing joy.
What does the king do when he returns? He rewards his faithful servants three ways.
Notice that the two faithful servants were rewarded different amounts.
Earlier Jesus says that he gave, “to each according to his ability?” The master knew what each slave
could handle and so he gives him talents based on what he knows he can handle.
Commenting on this one scholar writes,
“Like a mother or father, like the best teacher or coach, the lord does not demand that everyone become
a star. He takes pleasure in watching each of us do our best, according to our abilities.” (Doriani, 401)
“Imagine the Lord designs and manufactures all kinds of cars: a sports car that does 185 m.p.h., a
muscular truck, a spacious van, and an efficient family sedan. The maker will not berate the van for failing to
go 120 m.p.h. He does not blame the sports car for poor gas mileage. Each car is pleasing when it performs the
task that suits its design. When the sports car flies, when the van carries seven passengers safely, when the
truck hauls timber and boulders, when the sedan travels the miles efficiently, the designer is pleased. Raw
power or productivity matters little. The lord is pleased with us when we do what we can with the abilities he
gives.” (Doriani, 401)
I can’t write ten books, and preach to thousands, but I can do my best to be faithful to preach to 250
people in north Spokane.
You may not be called to be a missionary to Somalia but you can serve faithfully in the nursery…
serving the nursery enables others to hear preaching.
Our time left on earth could be very short… we don’t know when Christ will return. Invest in your
church, invest in your children, invest in the kingdom, give your money away, etc… God will reward you when
he returns.
What does the king do when he returns? He rewards his faithful servants.
What else does the king do when he returns? He judges his lazy servants.
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.’
This servant took the one talent his master gave him and buried it in the ground even though he was
expected to take it and make some money for his master.
Why didn’t he do what he was supposed to?
He was lazy and he had an inaccurate view/perception of his master.
Listen to verse 24…
“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.’”
One scholar writes, “He is virtually calling his master a vicious tyrant, a capitalist who takes for
himself the harvest that others worked so hard on. In other words, he takes what he wants without caring who
gets hurt in the process.” (Osborne, 926)
This servant thinks his master is a tyrant, out to get him, wants to ruin his life. Tragically, many people
feel this way about God. Even people in the church. maybe this is how you feel about God.
“I’m really not that motivated to serve King Jesus, because he is out to get me…”
As a result of this servant’s attitude and actions the master calls him evil and lazy and then condemns
him to hell forever.
Matthew 25:30 (ESV) — 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there
will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
The phrase “weeping and gnashing of teeth” is a common metaphor for hell.
Application:
Who are the lazy stewards? Are these Christians, non-Christians, professing Christians??? These
people are very similar to the five foolish bride’s maids from last week parable. They are people who look like
they are in the kingdom but are not. They profess to follow king Jesus but their actions prove that they don’t.
If you don’t submit to king Jesus how can you say you are a subject of his kingdom?
This is not salvation by works it is salvation by grace but someone who is saved by grace is transformed
by the same grace. They want to serve the king because he has first served them by dying in their place.
Some of us this morning need to hear this warning…
Jesus ends this parable by describing the horrors of hell. He is trying to scare us, in a good way, so that
we will all run to king Jesus for mercy.
Conclusion:
We have looked at two things
The king leaves
The king returns
How do we live in the meantime? We focus all of our attention on using the talents God has given us to
advance his kingdom.
Paul sums it up well.
1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV) — 58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always
abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
Your labor for King Jesus is not in vain. The king will return and reward you. Lets pray…