Sermon on Matthew 25:14-30 The Parable of the Talents

The Parable of the Talents: Stewarding God's Gifts

We turn to the powerful parable of the talents, a story that challenges us to examine how we are using the gifts and opportunities God has entrusted to us.

1. God Entrusts Gifts and Opportunities to Each of Us (Matthew 25:14):

"For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property." Just as the master in the parable entrusted his servants with his goods, God entrusts us with resources, talents, and opportunities. These are not our own; they are gifts from God, given to us for His glory. We are stewards, responsible for managing what He has given us.

2. Each Person Receives According to His Ability (Matthew 25:15):

"To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability." God's distribution is not arbitrary. He knows our capabilities and gives us what He believes we can handle. The important thing is not the amount we receive, but how faithfully we use it.

3. The Responsibility to Multiply What We Receive (Matthew 25:15b-16):

"He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more." 1 The faithful servants didn't waste time. They took action, using their talents to produce more. God expects us to be productive in His kingdom, to use our gifts to expand His reach and bring Him glory.

4. The Error of Burying the Talent (Matthew 25:18):

"But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money." The servant who buried his talent represents those who allow fear, laziness, or lack of faith to paralyze them. They fail to use their gifts, missing the opportunity for spiritual growth and service.

5. The Lord’s Return and the Rendering of Accounts (Matthew 25:19):

"Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them." Jesus will return, and we will all give an account of how we have used the gifts and opportunities He has given us. Are we prepared to face that day?

6. The Reward for Faithful Servants (Matthew 25:21):

"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.’” God rewards faithfulness. Our ultimate reward is to be in His presence, to experience the fullness of His joy. Those who are faithful in small things will be entrusted with greater responsibilities.

7. The Punishment for the Unfaithful and Fearful Servant (Matthew 25:24):

"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.’” The unfaithful servant blamed his master for his inaction. Many people use a distorted view of God as an excuse for their spiritual apathy.

8. God Does Not Accept Excuses for Spiritual Inertia (Matthew 25:26):

"But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I did not sow?’” God does not accept excuses for laziness and lack of commitment. The servant's greatest failure was his refusal to even try.

9. Those Who Do Not Use What They Have, Lose (Matthew 25:28):

"So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents." God gives more to those who are faithful with what they have. Those who neglect their gifts risk losing even the opportunities they once had.

10. Judgment on Unfaithfulness (Matthew 25:30):

"And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." The unfaithful servant was rejected because he failed to fulfill his purpose. Those who live without bearing fruit for God will face the consequences of their negligence.

Sermon on Matthew 25:14-30 The Parable of the Talents

Conclusion

The parable of the talents calls us to action. Let us examine our lives and ask ourselves: How are we using the gifts God has given us? Are we multiplying them for His glory, or are we burying them in fear and inaction? Let us be faithful stewards, using our talents to serve God and build His kingdom. Amen.