14 “For it is like a man about to go on a journey. He called his own servants and handed over his possessions to them. 15 To one he gave five talents [$7,000,582.85] to another two [$2, 800, 233.14], and to another one [$1, 400,116.57], each according to his own ability. Then he went on his journey.
16 “Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them and gained five more. 17 In the same way, the one with two gained two more. 18 But the one who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
19 “Now after a long time, the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 The one who had received the five talents came up and brought another five talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed me five talents. Look, I’ve gained five more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You were faithful with a little, so I’ll put you in charge of much. Enter into your master’s joy!’
22 “The one who had received the two talents also came up and said, ‘Master, you handed me two talents. Look, I’ve gained two more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You were faithful with a little, so I’ll put you in charge of much. Enter into your master’s joy!’
24 “Then the one who had received the one talent also came up and said, ‘Master, I knew that you are a hard man, reaping where you didn’t sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. 25 So I was afraid, and I went off and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’
26 “But his
master responded, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! You knew that I reap where I
didn’t sow and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you
should have brought my money to the brokers, and when I came I would have
received it back with interest. 28 Therefore take the talent
away from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents. 29 For
to the one who has, more shall be given, and he shall have an abundance. But
from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. 30 Throw
the worthless servant out, into the outer darkness where there will be weeping
and gnashing of teeth.’” (Matthew 25:14-30, TLV)
Review: God expects us to invest His resources in others, in
their eternal destiny, and in His church. God expects a return on His
investment.
The Parable of the Talents reminds of these
three truths:
1. We
have been given great riches-(See Matthew 25:14-15 above)
2. With
great riches comes great responsibility-(See Matthew 25:16-18 above)
3. With
great responsibility comes the possibility of great reward-(See Matthew 25:19-21 above)
“People are the stocks into which we are to invest our time ... the
best of all investments you can make is to help people come to know Jesus as
their Lord and Savior. You can make a commitment right here and now ... I'm
asking you today not to graduate but commence a new life for God every step of
the way.” (Billy
Graham)[i]
[i] Inspired by the sermon “Investing God’s Money:
Managing God’s Money” (installment five, part two, final) Sunday February 2, 2020, Dave Jansen CenterPoint Gahanna
Church Gahanna, OH.
Additional source used: “Talent
(weight)” From Wikipedia
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