I. INTRODUCTION

A. In the previous lesson from the parables, we studied the parable of the ten virgins (Matt. 25:1-13), which teaches us to be constantly alert and prepared for the coming of the Lord, "for you do not know the day nor the hour."

B. In this lesson, we will stay in this same context and add to the previous lesson by studying the parable of the talents from Matthew 25:14-30.

II. CONTEXT OF THE PARABLE

A. The context of the parable of the talents is the same as for the parable of the wedding feast, which we considered in the previous lesson.

1. This context began when Jesus prophesied to His disciples of the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem (Matt. 24:1-2).

2. In response, His disciples asked Him a question with three parts in Matthew 24:3 -- "Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?"

3. Jesus answered the three parts of this question (Matt. 24:4-51).

a. Concerning the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, Jesus gave several indications, including verse 34 -- "Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place."

b. Regarding the sign of His coming, Jesus said many things and explained that the true signs of His coming would be unmistakable.

c. Concerning the end of the age, Jesus said, "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone" (v. 36).

B. Within this context, Jesus taught several lessons to His disciples in parables.

1. In Matthew 24:45-51, Jesus used a parable to teach that He will come at an unknown and unexpected time.

2. In the parable of the ten virgins (Matt. 25:1-13), Jesus went a step farther by teaching His disciples to be alert and prepared for His coming at all times.

3. In the parable of the talents (Matt. 25:14-30), Jesus went farther still by teaching His disciples how to be prepared for His coming. This is the subject of our present lesson.

4. Notice that the Lord taught these things privately to His disciples rather than publically to the multitudes (Matt. 24:3). Therefore, these parables are intended to reveal the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven rather than to conceal knowledge (Matt. 13:11-13; Mark 4:11; Luke 8:10). See Lesson 1 for more explanation of the purposes of parables.

III. THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS -- MATTHEW 25:14-30

A. The Lord's introduction to this parable shows that it is about the kingdom of heaven just as the previous parable was (vv. 1, 14).

B. This parable describes a master who entrusted his wealth to three slaves while he went away on a journey (vv. 14-15).

1. His wealth was measured out in talents to the slaves.

a. A talent (Gr. talanton) was a unit of measure for money that varied in different states and according to the changes in the laws regulating currency.

b. A talent of silver in Israel weighed about 100 pounds, and a talent of gold weighed about 200 pounds.

2. Each slave received a measure of wealth "according to his own ability."

a. The slave with the greatest ability received five talents, the slave with the second greatest ability received two talents, and the least able slave received one talent.

b. This arrangement by the master shows that he was a reasonable man, for he did give any of his slaves more responsibility than they could handle.

c. Notice that our modern usage of the word "talent" means "natural ability" or "aptitude." This modern meaning developed in the Latin language during Medieval times due to the influence of the parable of the talents. Prior to then, the word "talent" had never been used in this way.

C. The two slaves with the greater measures of wealth traded with their talents and doubled their holdings, but the slave with one talent "dug in the ground and hid his master's money" (vv. 16-18).

D. When the master returned after a long time, he came to the three slaves for an account of their stewardships (vv. 19-30). It is here that we find the lessons of the parable.

1. Consider the master's conversation with the both the slave who had the five talents and the slave who had the two talents.

a. These two slaves presented the master with the talents he had given them and the profit they had gained.

b. To these two slaves, the master had the same happy reply: "Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master" (vv. 21, 23).

c. These two slaves satisfied their master's expectations. They had used their abilities faithfully in the service of their master. Therefore, they were rewarded with even greater responsibility.

d. From these two slaves, let us learn a few lessons.

i. God has expectations for us that are reasonable according to our abilities. In a similar teaching in Luke 12:48, Jesus said, "From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more."

ii. Goodness and faithfulness are determined according to what we do with what we have. In the judgment, each person will "be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad" (2Cor. 5:10).

iii. Responsibility is a reward and a blessing. If we avoid responsibility in this life, then what reward can we expect in the life to come?

2. In contrast, consider the master's conversation with the third slave.

a. This slave came to his master with this account of his stewardship: "Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours" (vv. 24-25).

b. The master's response was severe in verses 26-28:

"You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed. Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest. Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents."

c. Notice a few lessons here.

i. This slave confessed his knowledge of his master's expectations, but he did not act according to those expectations. This is the definition of unfaithfulness, for when we act in defiance of our Lord's expectations, we are unfaithful.

ii. The slave was motivated by fear rather than love for the master. We are to fear God (Eccl. 12:13), but our fear is to be reverence for Him rather than dread. Our motivation should not be dread of God, but it should be love for Him. "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love" (1John 4:18). Those who are fearful will find their place in the second death (Rev. 21:8).

iii. Laziness is a wicked trait. It is utterly condemned in God's word (see a host of verses in the Proverbs). Notice that simply possessing abilities and resources is not sufficient. We must make effort and profit for God's kingdom.

iv. The Lord's lessons and severe judgment are given in verses 29-30:

"For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

IV. CONCLUSION

A. All of us have abilities given by God, and we also have stewardships that are given by Him in proportion to our abilities. We also know His expectations, which are that we should use our abilities in His service for His purposes to return a spiritual profit of glory and honor to Him.

B. How are we using our talents? The answer to this question will in part determine our eternal reward.