Notice – (Matthew 25:16-18)…..Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money.
Notice, how the servants given five talents and two talents got busy with those talents right away. Their faithfulness is seen not only in the profit they made, but in their eagerness to get to work. Now notice, the servant with only one talent did not want to risk anything, so by burying his talent this servant was unable to to do anything with it. He cut himself off from any opportunity to make a profit for his master, and in the end, any reward for himself.
The Masters return was after “a long time” and when He came the first two servants describe how they doubled their amount. They stood before the lord with excitement (implied in the word “look” and their lord was pleased (25:20-23). So what does he do with his servants? He praises them for their work, saying “Well done.” He commends them both as “good and faithful servant.” He rewards them by promoting them, “you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things.” He invites them to share in his happiness: “Enter into the joy of your Lord.” The servant who hid his money then faces his lord, notice he begins by making excuses (25:24-25). “Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown…” “I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground.” He seeks to appease the lord by returning what he had been given, “Look, there you have what is yours”
The lord’s response, He calls him a “wicked and lazy servant.” He tells him the least he should have done, “you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers…” He takes away what he had, and gave it to the servant with ten talents with this explanation…..“For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.” He has the “unprofitable servant” cast “into the outer darkness”, where “there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth”
So what are the main points of the parable?
- Be faithful in using the opportunities for service which the Lord has given us. Diligence is rewarded; negligence is punished
- Whatever we have, whether opportunities or abilities, all things belong to God. We may possess, but God owns; we are simply stewards (25:14)
- Those who make excuses are “wicked and lazy” servants (25:25-26)
- A place of punishment is reserved for the unprofitable servants (25:30) (13:41-42)
- So be productive with Good’s talents where the Lord has given you ability and opportunity