Scripture:
Matthew 25:14-30 NKJV
[14] “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. [15] And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. [16] Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. [17] And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. [18] But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. [19] After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. [20] “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ [21] His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ [22] He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ [23] His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ [24] “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. [25] And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ [26] “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. [27] So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. [28] Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. [29] ‘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. [30] And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Observation:
As I was reading this morning and searching for what to present. I had a lot of ideas. Turning from scripture to scripture, waiting for the Holy Spirit to say that’s the one. I looked at fruit inspection, false teachers, and many other topics. Finally the Holy Spirit said let’s light a fire under them. So this scripture came to mind. The problem is find is that now I’m running short on time. So we will get a brief overview of what’s going on. In the parable that Jesus uses to teach the people. HE speaks of a MAN who is preparing for a trip. However as HE does. His desire is to make sure that things continue to progress so that HIS kingdom will grow. I believe by this point, if you have been reading these SOAPS for any length of time you know that when HE, HIM, or HIS is in all caps you know that who is being spoken about is GOD, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit. So what we can see by what has been said so far is that Jesus is teaching HIS disciples about the gifts and talents that HE has given them. But HE is doing it in such a way that they won’t pick it up unless they read between the lines. HE is telling them that HE is going away and the things HE is teaching them now will need to be used to build the kingdom. As HE continues to teach. HE says to one servant HE gave 5 talents to another HE gave 2 and to another HE gave 1 talent. Now the one who received 5 immediately got to work doing whatever he could to grow the kingdom. The one who received 2 did the same thing, but the servant that received only 1 talent went and dug a hole, and hid the money. As the master (Jesus) returned from HIS trip. It was time to settle HIS accounts, so HE calls the servants to HIM, asking what had been done with what had been given to them. The first servant was able to not only produce the 5 talents that he had been given but he also produced 5 more. He had gotten busy. Immediately putting what the Master had given him back into the kingdom. The result was the same for the second servant. Unfortunately However, the third servant let fear rule his decisions. He went and dug up the money he was give and returned the very same piece of money with no increase. The 2 servants that had put what they had been given to work were praised by the master. They were told well done and given more than they had been given to begin with. The master knew that HE could trust them to build the kingdom. They had put to work what had been loaned to them and the increase was twice what they had been given. They were told to enter into the joy of the LORD. The third servant However, did not receive the same commendation. He had taken what the Master (Jesus) had given him and done nothing with it. Letting his fear rule his decisions. What he received is probably the most scary statement I have ever red in the Bible, “You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited “MY” money in the bank with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has 10 talents.” As HE finishes HIS teaching the last 2 verses really put an exclamation point on what has been said.
Application:
Every time I take the time to look at what is going on in the world today. I can see that we are getting closer and closer to the return of our LORD, and although our works do not save us, our faith in Christ will produce a desire to tell others about HIM. HE has certainly given us something to do as we wait. Looking at the condition of the world there seems to be a lot of people who don’t know HIM. Or even people who know HIM but deny HIS LORDSHIP over their lives. As the church we have been given a responsibility to grow the kingdom. HE has given us the tools to do so. At some point HE will come back and HE is going to ask one question… what did you do with what I gave you. I don’t want to be the one who has to grab a shovel and go dug up what HE gave my knock the dirt off of it and give it back to HIM with no increase. We are saved by grace there is no mistake about that its said over and over. Our faith in Christ will not allow us to just sit and do nothing. The kingdom of heaven will advance. Those who truly understand what HE has done for them will be working to show others the truth about it. The disciples left everything they had and began to build the kingdom. They knew that they had been given something that had to be shared. Imagine if they had not spoken a word about what happened right before their very eyes. Jesus Christ had been crucified, place in a borrowed tomb, and had come back to life 3 days latter. But what if it went no further. What if they had taken the truth about that and dug a hole. Telling no one. We have been given the gospel, and before HE departed to await HIS return HE gave us the matching orders. “GO”and take what I have given you to grow the kingdom. HE is coming back, and when HE does one thing will be asked. “What did you do with what I have you?” Let’s put some action to our faith. Let’s not just sit in church and do nothing. Let’s go on a fishing expedition. I’m asking you to family into flames the gifts and talents that the LORD has given you. When HE comes back will you need shovel? Or will you be able to present the increase of your labor of love for HIM?
Prayer:
Father, we lift up our lives to you, knowing that you are Holy and righteous. We know that all our efforts are but filthy rags. But we want to be found using what you gave us to further your kingdom. To shape and mold men and women to be doer of your word. We do not believe that you have called us to sit in a church and do nothing. If we just go to church you want our relationship with you to grow as a result, therefore gaining interest. Let us not waste away the talents you gave us. You have given them to us because you knew that they would be put to good uses. Let us not grow lukewarm or cold, but let a fire burn so hot the it catches fire to everything it cones into contact with. Uses us to grow your kingdom. Fill us with wisdom, boldness, and a love for others that will speak the truth in love. We know that you have built us for this time, and we pray that as you prepare for your return that we would be steadfast in our desire to see others come to the saving knowledge of what you have done for us. You are an amazing Father. Thank you for your grace and mercy. The very tools that draw us closer to you. Increase our ability to effectively communicate the gospel to others so that they would come to know you. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus we pray amen.