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Maximizing Your Talents: A Biblical Lesson on Responsibility and Diligence

Explore the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30, emphasizing the importance of faith, responsibility, and diligent work while waiting for the master’s return. Understand the significance of wise stewardship and the consequences of fear and laziness in serving your master. Delve into the lessons of accountability and utilizing your abilities to their fullest potential in the journey of faith.

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Maximizing Your Talents: A Biblical Lesson on Responsibility and Diligence

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  2. The Parable Of The Talents Matthew 25:14-30

  3. The Talents Matt 25:14-30 Setting • In Jerusalem during Jesus’ last week • Most likely, late Tuesday afternoon or early Tuesday evening • Jesus has finished His public ministry • His last words = a lament for Jerusalem’s destruction Mt 23:37-39

  4. The Talents Matt 25:14-30 Setting • In Jerusalem during Jesus’ last week • His comments in Mt 24-25 were spoken privately to the disciples • The Ten Virgins parable = preparation • This parable = workwhilewaiting

  5. The Talents Matt 25:14-30 TheParable • The characters aren’t “hired servants” as Mt 20:1-16 • They are “slaves” (bond-slaves) • Those not even in possession of their own bodies • Appropriate re: disciples 1 Cor 6:19-20

  6. The Talents Matt 25:14-30 TheParable • Neither are the characters “bridesmaids” as in Mt 25:1-13 [previous parable] • Emphasis on waiting for the groom • In this parable, they are more like stewards who must be busy…who must give an account of their activities

  7. The Talents Matt 25:14-30 TheParable • Before going on a journey, a man entrusts “talents” to 3 slaves vv. 14-15 • A “talent” = 6,000 denarii [sizeable] • Each one entrusted “…according to his own ability” [5, 2, & 1 respectively] • Not equally able…but, equally responsible

  8. The Talents Matt 25:14-30 TheParable • Before going on a journey, a man entrusts “talents” to 3 slaves vv. 14-15 • Important…the master knows what each slave can do • What about our “talents?” Rom 12:3-8 1 Cor 12:4-11, 14-28

  9. The Talents Matt 25:14-30 TheParable • The first 2 slaves respond vv. 16-17 • The “5-talent” slave immediately[NASV] trades, doubling his master’s money • The “2-talent” slave does likewise • They did not delay [urgency] • They understood their responsibilities

  10. The Talents Matt 25:14-30 TheParable • The first 2 slaves respond vv. 16-17 • No matter the level of responsibility, the slave is duty-bound re: the master’s work Eph 4:11-12, 16 • Diligence…not negligence Rom 12:11 • Every joint supplies something Eph 4:16

  11. The Talents Matt 25:14-30 TheParable • The “1-talent” slave’s response v. 18 • He did not try to increase his master’s money • He thought only of not losing it • He dug a hole and buried it

  12. The Talents Matt 25:14-30 TheParable • Contrasting the 3 slaves • The “5-talent” & “2-talent” slaves acted on faith and their awareness their master had entrusted them • The “1-talent” slave was afraid v. 25 • Fear does nothing

  13. The Talents Matt 25:14-30 TheParable • Contrasting the 3 slaves • The difference… • Faith acts despite the possibility of failing…knows rewards outweigh the risks • Fear thinks it best not to lose what it has…risks are too great to “chance it”

  14. The Talents Matt 25:14-30 TheParable • Have slaves been entrusted to simply watch the master’s goods, or do something with them? Rom 12:4, 6 • The “certainty” v. 19 • The master’s return…the accounting • “Theme” Mt 24:36-39, 42, 44 25:6, 13

  15. The Talents Matt 25:14-30 TheParable • The accounting vv. 20-30 • The “5 & 2-talent” slaves vv. 20-23 • Judged to be equally faithful…they were commended the same vv. 21, 23 • Not based upon each one’s gross gain • Different expectations…same reward

  16. The Talents Matt 25:14-30 TheParable • The accounting vv. 20-30 • The “5 & 2-talent” slaves vv. 20-23 • Based upon what each one did with what he had been entrusted • No matter the # of talents, the master was pleased with each one’s performance

  17. The Talents Matt 25:14-30 TheParable • The accounting vv. 20-30 • The “1-talent” slave vv. 24-30 • He first “slanders” his master v. 24 • He admits his motivation (fear) and proudly presents his “not lost” talent v. 25

  18. The Talents Matt 25:14-30 TheParable • The accounting vv. 20-30 • The “1-talent” slave vv. 24-30 • If he were truly “afraid” wouldn’t he have been more diligent, not less? • His problem…he didn’t even try to do anything to increase his master’s money

  19. The Talents Matt 25:14-30 TheParable • The accounting vv. 20-30 • The “1-talent” slave vv. 24-30 • The master was not impressed • He labels him “wicked & lazy” v. 26a • At the least, the money could have been deposited in the bank v. 27

  20. The Talents Matt 25:14-30 TheParable • The accounting vv. 20-30 • The “1-talent” slave vv. 24-30 • This type of service won’t produce praise & commendation…only judgment vv. 28-30

  21. The Talents Matt 25:14-30 TheApplication • Re: the “1-talent” slave… • The notion of “not losing” what one has is appealing to the disciple who doesn’t really want to do anything anyway • If this is where we are, we need to realize just how much we are in danger

  22. The Talents Matt 25:14-30 TheApplication • Re: the “1-talent” slave… • Some modern-day disciples are heard to complain at how “hard” the Lord’s demands are • Is this true? 1 Jn 5:3 • Determining factor? AttitudeGen 29:20

  23. The Talents Matt 25:14-30 TheApplication • Re: the “1-talent” slave… • Such disciples won’t get any farther “mischaracterizing” the Lord as did this “1-talent” slave in slandering his master • There is always a way to serve his Lord… love finds a way to be useful Mk 14:8

  24. The Talents Matt 25:14-30 TheApplication • Re: the “1-talent” slave… • Some have also convinced themselves that “sins of omission” aren’t as bad as “sins of commission” • Obviously, Jesus thinks otherwise in this parable v. 26 Jas 4:17

  25. The Talents Matt 25:14-30 TheApplication • Re: the “5 & 2-talent” slaves… • What greater joy could there be than to hear “Well done…enter in…” • Wouldn’t you work 1,000 lifetimes to hear Jesus say this to you?

  26. The Talents Matt 25:14-30 TheLesson • While I’m waiting… Mt 25:1-13 • …what am I doing with what the Master has entrusted to me? • Am I busy using my “talents?” • Am I doing nothing • Have I buried my “talents?”

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