1. “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property.” Matthew 25:14 (ESV)
“Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them.” Matthew 25:19 (ESV)
Primarily, we need to understand that all what we posses is not ours but they have been entrusted to us by God – skills, wealth, intelligence, family, job, ministry, opportunities, etc. We are not owners but caretakers. When this truth dawns upon us we understand our RESPONSIBILITY and ACCOUNTABILITY.
“So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.” Romans 14:12 (ESV). Jesus said, “…….on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak” Matthew 12:36 (ESV)
This realization makes us to be accountable to God in all that He has entrusted us - possessions, positions, people and pen & pulpits. We will neither misuse nor underuse or abuse these.
2. “To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.” Matthew 25:15 (ESV)
God gives to ALL. He is not a man to be partial. In His giving He demonstrates IMPARTIALITY. But when we feel that we are not as capable as the other person, we need to come to terms that God has given us according to our ABILITY. So all that we possess is not to compete, but to complement. When we understand this principle, we will not undermine anyone but will appreciate their uniqueness. If we have trouble in fulfilling our roles, we need to prayerfully analyse our ability – He has enabled me, but for WHAT?
“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 1:12-14)
When we realize that our abilities are God’s enablement, we would be humble, as we also realize our wretchedness and His grace that made us worthy.
3. “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. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money.” Matthew 25:16-18 (ESV)
The Master after entrusting the money never gives a job description. So, how are we to figure out what we are supposed to do? Some might say that it just takes common sense to know & fulfil our roles. Infanticide, divorce, pornography, apartheid, casteism, etc. are all results of common sense! To the one who rightly used the Master says, “Well done, good and faithful servant…” (Matt 25: 21a, 23a); but to the one who misused, “You wicked and lazy servant…” (Matt 25:26a)
What motivates our actions to be be good or wicked and us to be faithful or lazy? Knowledge of the Lord and applying His characters in our lives.
“But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest.” Matthew 25:26-27 (ESV)
It is not only about knowing God, but living a Christian life where all our thoughts and actions reflect Christ and are motivated by the truths of the Bible.
So, if we need to know what we are supposed to do with all that God has entrusted us, we need to know Him more & more and practice His Word daily. DIVINITY inspired PRACTICALITY.
4. “But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money.” Matthew 25:18 (ESV)
Like this servant we too have hidden so many of all that God had entrusted to us. For some of us , it is our own personal talents that we have hid and for some it is of those who are entrusted to us.
The servant said, “so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’” Matthew 25:25 (ESV) Ignorance causes fear. Ignorance of God and His ways. Paul says to Timothy, “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:6-7 (ESV)
Let us fling all fears and flame the gift that God has given us!
We might be hiding the gift of another person, may be our subordinate or our own children or spouse, fearing that they might do better than us or they might be applauded or preferred over us. Let us come out all such fears too understanding our secure identity in Christ.
The consequence of concealing is costly. “So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” Matthew 25:28-29 (ESV) If we are trying to hide our gifts or concealing those of others we need to beware – we will lose all that we possess.
And when we put it all to use, we will be given more. UTILISATION is the key to EXPANSION.
5. “Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them.” Matthew 25:19 (ESV)
“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.’” Matthew 25:21 (ESV)
Though proper utilisation bestows appreciation, here the Bible does not talk about the earthly, but the heavenly; not the temporal, but the eternal.
Many a times we fail to exercise or act or minister either because of no appreciation or because of only depreciation. At all such times we need to understand that we are not supposed to seek appreciation from men but from God. And it is a long time of waiting!
“Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:8 (ESV)
“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay everyone for what he has done.” Revelation 22:12 (ESV)
Let us serve wholeheartedly (putting everything and everyone to use) not for the perishing popularity or pleasure, but for the eternal enjoyment looking forward to “enter into the joy of our Master”. Finally, as we properly utilize all that God has given us there awaits appreciation that lasts for ETERNITY!
Understanding our responsibility and proving our accountability to God who shows no impartiality and realising the utility of the ability, let our practicality be inspired and motivated not by carnality or popularity but by divinity, being assured of the reward that lasts for eternity.
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