The Talents - Matthew 25:14-30 by Ps Tong

Text: The Parable of the Talents
14"Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. 15To one he gave five talents[a] of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. 17So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. 18But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.
19"After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.'
21"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
22"The man with the two talents also came. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.'
23"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
24"Then the man who had received the one talent came. 'Master,' he said, 'I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.'
26"His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
28" 'Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. 29For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 30And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' (NIV version)

God desires his people to love him and giv back whatever we are blessed with freely.

What is/are your talents? It is not just your outward appearance., but the hope that you have inside of you.

A talent is a lot fo money - like 6000 denari! and a denari is like a day's wage. So the amount this master entrusted to his servant is not small matter. Do you trust some one with such treasure?

1. We are all given some measure of talents
2. It is not the amount that counts but what do we do about it that matters.
3. We must use it, invest it for the kingdom.
4. That is why those who are poor usually gets poorer and those who are rich gets richer...the poor started off with little and is is often mis-managed. Or that he system is against him.
5. Have faith in the master's good intention. Overcome fear. Risk it all for God and you will not be disappointted.