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Master’s Happiness!!
(Parable: The Talents; Matthew 25: 14-30) - Dr.Paul J Joseph 1. The parable is addressed to His disciples, but it also applies to all Christians. 2. Equations: The Master = Jesus; The servants = Christians; The journey = Period of time between the First and Second Coming of Christ; Gifts that Jesus gives Christians. 3. This parable follows immediately after the parable of “The wise and the foolish virgins”. 4. Both parables relate to the kingdom of heaven, in anticipation of the Lord’s return. 5. The first one talks / stresses the need to be “prepared” and “watching” for the Lord; the latter emphasizes the need to be “productive” and “working” for the Lord. II. The Parable 1. Talent/s distribution to the Servants (v. 14-15): A “talent” is a monetary measure amounting to 6000 denarii (roman currency; 1 denarrius = ~$0.20; 1 talent = ~$1200). 2. Servant A: 5 talents; Servant B: 2 talents; Servant C: 1 talent 3. The number of “talents” varied and was given “according to one’s ability”. 4. The use of talents is described in v. 16-18; Two servants “doubled”, and one servant just hid the talent. 5. Accountability after the Master’s return (v. 19-30). a. The Master’s return was after “a long time”. b. Servants A & B described how they doubled their money in excitement (both say “see” or “look”). i. The Lord was pleased (he did not enquire the ways it was doubled…putting to use the talents and multiplying is the “key”). ii. The Lord Praises (“Well done”) and Commends (“good and faithful servants”) them both. The Lord praises them in the same way (same reward) even tough the Servant A made 10 and B, 4. iii. The Lord invites them to share in his happiness (“Share your Master’s happiness”). c. Servant C who hid the money now faces his Master (v. 24 & 25). i. He begins by saying excuses. ii. He seeks to appease the Lord by returning what he was given. iii. The Lord was “not pleased” and responded by calling him a “wicked” and “lazy”(v. 26). iv. The Lord tells his what at the least he could have done (v. 27). v. The Lord takes away what he had and gave it to the one who had 10 talents (v. 28 & 29). vi. The Lord casts him away (called him, “worthless servant”) (v. 30). III. Personal Application 1. Be faithful in using the opportunities for service which the Lord has given you (Gal. 6:10) 2. Diligence is rewarded but negligence is punished. 3. Whatever we have, whether opportunities or abilities, belongs to God; we may posses, but it God who owns it (Mt. 25:14) 4. The Lord provides opportunities for service in keeping with our ability to make use of them; in the Day of Judgment the number of talents will not matter. 5. The question would be, “Have you been faithful in your use of the God-given talents?” 6. Jesus did not expect to return immediately – Mt. 25:19. 7. Everything should be done in view of the Day of reckoning that is coming (II Cor. 5:10). 8. Those who make excuses are “wicked and lazy” servants and a place of punishment is reserved for the unprofitable servants (Mt. 13:41, 42). 9. Those who do evil will experience “wailing and gnashing of teeth” (Mt.13:41,42) but also who do nothing (Mt. 25:30). IV. Conclusion: Be productive where the Lord has given you ability and opportunity for His glory (references: Ryrie Study Bible, Hendrickson’s commentary) Dr. Paul
Joseph, 7/5/03
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