Matthew 25:14-30
Introduction
One of the most frustrating things to witness is wasted talent. We often think about all we could accomplish if we had just a portion of someone else’s gifts. But if wasted talent bothers us, imagine how much more it grieves God – the very giver of those talents – when we waste what He’s entrusted to us.
In Matthew 25, Jesus shares a parable representing the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom contains a King, slaves, and the talents that the King entrusted to the slaves. Jesus is our King and we are His slaves. Everything we have – our money, careers, families, and even our battles – belong to Christ. He gives each of us responsibilities according to our ability and expects us to be productive with what He’s given. Because He knows us better than we know ourselves, we can trust Him, even when the answer is “no.”
The servant with the two talents immediately went to work, just like the one with the five. He didn’t waste time comparing or complaining – he simply stewarded what he had. Many of us get stuck in comparison, focused on what we lack instead of building on what we’ve been given. We find ourselves like the third slave, who had the strength to dig in the ground, but not the willingness to invest in the Kingdom.
We all have a choice in how we use our gifts, but one day Christ will return and take an account for how we’ve used them. We want to be prepared for this moment so we don’t have to experience profound regret. The Kingdom doesn’t reward based on how much we had, but on what we did with what we were given. Our goal isn’t just overflow now, but eternal reward later. Be faithful, be fruitful, and make the most of what God’s placed in your hands.
Getting Started
- If you could instantly master one talent or skill, what would it be and why?
- Who is someone you admire for how they use their gifts?
Let’s Get Personal
- What talent, skill, or resource do you believe God has given you to steward?
- How do you tend to respond when you see others with more or different gifts than you?
- What’s one area where you feel like you might be “burying” what God has given you?
Take the Next Step
- What’s one small step you can take this week to use your talent for God’s kingdom?
- How have you been hesitant to use what God has given you? Pray and ask God for the boldness to step out in faith and wisdom to steward your gifts well.
- Want to dig deeper? Take a look at the following passages: Romans 6:6, Ephesians 1:7, 1 Corinthians 6:19, Philippians 1:1, Titus 1:1, 2 Peter 1:1, Jude 1, Revelation 1:1, Psalm 24:1, Haggai 2:8, Psalm 50:10-12, 2 Corinthians 5:10, 2 Timothy 4:8, 1 Corinthians 4:5, Matthew 13:12, Galatians 2:16, 1 Corinthians 3:15, 2 John 1:8.
Renew Your Mind
“His master said to him, ‘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.’”
Matthew 25:23
