The Parable of the Talents is well known, most people in the world of Christianity have read the parable many times. Matthew 25:14-30. I’ve read it so often I sometimes skim because of my familiarity with the text. I began contemplating this parable on a deeper level recently. I wonder if others, like me, really grasp what the Lord is saying or just take for granted they know it.
On the surface it seems pretty simple. I’ve been given something by God. I need to do something with that “talent”. Yes that is true. The deeper question is what have you been given? Have you been given eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ, are you redeemed from the dominion of darkness, and saved from eternal separation from God? If you have then I hope you will really contemplate the magnitude of what this parable says and if your life really lines up with what Jesus has told us.
I believe many church going people think consciously or sub-consciously we really don’t need to spread the gospel. Calvinistic leaning folks believe that God is sovereign and those chosen will be redeemed, or we should live out the gospel more than we should preach. Have you ever heard someone say “you are so heavenly minded you’re no earthly good.” I wonder if anyone ever said that to Paul or Jesus. More often I sense people are afraid to share the gospel, and I understand how big of a task this can seem.
In this parable the Master represents Christ and the servants represent professing believers. Christ gives us something that doesn’t belong to us, it belongs to Him. Believers are told to be faithful and multiply the Master’s goods it all seems pretty straight forward but there is one servant that decides he is going to bury his talent.
Charles Spurgeon preaching about this servant:
This unprofitable servant looked upon his master as one that reaped where he never sowed and used the rake to gather together what he had never scattered—he meant that his master was a hard, exacting and unjust person whom it was difficult to please. He judged his lord to be one who expected more of his servants than he had any right to look for and he had such a hatred of his unjust conduct that he resolved to tell him to his face what he thought of him. Sermon No. 1541Unprofitable Servants
Are you profitable to the kingdom of God? Here is someone that calls himself a servant of God but will not perform his duties. If you start asking church going people who they’ve shared the gospel with lately you will be surprised at the answer you receive and often the indignation that comes back to you. They will make excuses and they will tell you lots of things they “do” at their church. Some of these are good things; some of these are biblical things. If I’m speaking to you today I would like you to consider why you were saved? And perhaps Jesus is even asking you if you are saved?
Ephesians 1:14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
You “Believer” were purchased for His glory.
Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spoke to them saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
So if Jesus says we are to make disciples and we are to observe all He commanded then it’s pretty clear we have our instructions. Ask yourself today when you last shared the good news of redemption with someone. If it’s been a while you are either disobedient or a wicked servant, I don’t see other alternatives.
Matthew 25:29-30 ‘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. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Bring Him glory today by sharing what God has done in your life. Bring Him profit.
Kevin
Uncommon Faith 