BE REWARDED OR BE REJECTED

Matthew 25:30
29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he
shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be
taken away even that which he hath.
Introduction:
The application of this parable must be understood within the
context of the message of Matthew 24-25.
Let’s set the context. This parable comes in the section of
Matthew’s gospel where Jesus is giving an answer to the disciples’
question about His Second Coming in Matthew 24:3:
And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto
him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and
what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
Matt.24:3
Jesus warns them to be on guard so that no one will deceive them
and helps them understand that once He leaves, He will come
again.
He challenges them in Matthew 24:44 to be ready because the
Son of Man will come at an hour when He is least expected.
In chapter 25, Jesus compares His coming to the eastern custom of
a bridegroom arriving in the middle of the night. He concludes by
saying:
Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein
the Son of man cometh. Matt.25:13

Chapter 25 ends with the separation of the sheep and the goats.
The application to the people of Israel is graphic and relevant.
Those that believe Him will be rewarded in His kingdom. The basis
of the reward will be their stewardship of His resources entrusted
to them. Those who fear and do not believe will be rejected and
judged.
The Principles of Stewardship in the Parable of the Talents:
1. WHAT WE HAVE IS NOT OURS
14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far
country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his
goods.
It was common for wealthy men to take long journeys. Before they would
leave, they would arrange to have someone pick up their mail and feed their
pets. But even more than that, they would often delegate the control and
multiplication of their wealth to trustworthy employees.
They were expected to bring a return on what had been handed over to
them.
NOTE: Jesus’ introduction to the parable in verse 14 and from the
surrounding context, the statement that the master “ went on a journey”
must represent Jesus’ departure from this earth. So the period in which the
servants are to be working with the talents represents the period in which
we await Christ’s return.
NOTE: There was no doubt in the minds of these servants that the property
and money still belonged to the master. They were the possessors, but not
the owners. Their job was to manage what they were given. Likewise, we
must remember that everything we have has been given to us and is not
really ours anyway. Ps.24:1, Hag.2:8
The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that
dwell therein.
Ps.24:1
The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts. Hag.2:8

He is the Master and we are the manager. We are the servant; He is the
sovereign.
NOTE: We don’t really own anything. Everything belongs to the Lord. Until
we recognize this truth, we will not be good managers of what has been
entrusted to us.
Our days are in His hands. Our gifts and abilities are on loan from Him. Our
money is an “advance” from the Almighty. Our houses, cars, clothes, and
every possession we have doesn’t belong to us. We really don’t own
anything.
NOTE: The worst thing that we can ever do in life is to waste whatever
things we do not really own.

2. WE’RE GIVEN WHAT WE CAN HANDLE

15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to
every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

We see that the master gave some talents to three of his servants: “To one
he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one
talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.”
NOTE: Whenever we read of the word “talents”, we think about a kind of a
skill or ability or capability. But actually the word “talents” in the ancient
times, referred to a measurement of currency. It refers to a certain amount
of money.
NOTE: A talent was also used to indicate a very large sum of money. Its
value varied depending on whether it was copper, silver, or gold.
While commentators differ on the exact amount, most agree that it would
take an ordinary labourer almost twenty years to earn just one talent. To
put this into our economy, using a minimal hourly wage, a talent would be
the equivalent of about $300,000.
This parable has first reference to how we invest our money. It has a
secondary application to how we use our God-given talents and
supernatural abilities.
NOTE: I want you to notice that each servant received talents “ according to
his ability.”

Your responsibility is tied to your ability. This is very interesting. God’s

kingdom purposes do not operate according to what is “fair” but according
to what is best.
Did you catch that? Each of us has been assigned a task. It’s our job to be
faithful to what He has given us to do. God entrusts different stuff to
different people according to His sovereign purposes. In other words, He
knows what we can handle.

3. WE MUST INVEST WHAT WE’VE BEEN GIVEN

16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same,
and made them other five talents.
  First, notice how the servants given five talents and two talents got
busy with those talents right away. Their faithfulness is seen not only
in the profit they made, but in their eagerness to get to work.
They immediately traded with them.
16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same,
and made them other five talents.
17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.

NOTE: We have been entrusted with our time, with our talents, with our
energies, with our lives. God has entrusted much to us! And all these things
are to be used, for His purposes. We are to be productive!
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which
God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Eph.2:10
Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my
disciples. Jn.15:8

And what it means, I think, is that we will do everything that we can to bring
glory to God. I think fruit is anything in a Christian's life that brings God
glory.

NOTE: So let me summarize it this way - the responsibility of every

Christian is to glorify God with all that we have. God has given us life, and
breath, and strength, and resources, and money, and energy - and we are
all to use that for His glory.
 Second, notice that the servant with only one talent did not want to
risk anything, so he buried his talent in the ground.
18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his
lord's money.

Verse 18 describes the different approach of the third servant. Even though
we don’t read about any specific instructions for what to do with the money,
the first two guys went to work and multiplied their investment. The one-
talent guy was a slacker who went off and buried his blessing.
NOTE: The practice of hiding valuables in the ground was quite common
back then. It was one of the safest and least profitable ways of protecting
possessions.
Thomas Constable comments:
Immediately the slaves entrusted with five and two talents began to put
their money to use for their master. This shows their faithfulness to their
duty to make money for him. They traded with the money in some way, so
they made a profit. The other slave, however, was unwilling to work and to
risk. By burying the money he showed that he valued safety above all else.
Burying his talent was even much safer than putting it in a savings account.
NOTE: The servants of God who have a heart for God and His coming
kingdom will sense their privilege, seize their opportunities, and serve God
to the maximum extent of their ability.
Those who have no real concern about preparing people for the coming King
will do nothing with their opportunities. Their own safety will be more
important to them than working to prepare for the arrival of the King. Being
a good steward involves taking some risks.
The people whose talents and opportunities are very slight and slender are
they who are tempted to do nothing at all.
The servant buried his talent not because he thought he could do little or
nothing with it, and not because he saw it as so insignificant in comparison
to what others were given, but rather because he did not trust the one who
gave it to him!
Several Bible examples of some people that did not have much in their
hand, but to God it was much.
 The Rod of Moses – Ex.4:9
 The Jawbone of Samson – Judges 15:15
 The Sling of David – 1 Sam.17:40
 The Lad two fishes and five loaves of bread – Jn.6:9
They invest it and recognized some things:
 It’s not just what you have, but where it came from.
 It’s not just what you have, but what are you trying to do with it?
 It’s not just what you have, but Who is taking what you have and using
it?
NOTE: THE GOD THAT OPENS THE HEART IS THE SAME GOD THAT OPENS
THE HAND!
Our potential is God’s gift to us. What we do with it is our gift to Him. Are
you investing what you’ve been given, regardless of how much it is? Or,
have you buried your blessing and kept it hidden from others?

4. A DAY OF ACCOUNTABILITY IS COMING

19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with
them.

Jesus is coming again and there will be a day of reckoning. While most of us
believe this in our heads, we don’t always live with eternity in our hearts.
If we would think more about His return, we’d be more focused on making
an eternal return on our investments. Rom.14:12
So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Rom.14:12

Let’s be faithful in doing whatever He gives us to do. He’s invested

something in you, and one day He’s coming back to claim it. Your job may
be big or small, but whatever it is, do it to the best of your ability and you’ll
be ready for your audit. 1 Jn.2:28
And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have
confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. 1 Jn.2:28

5. WHAT WE DO WITH WHAT WE HAVE REVEALS OUR VIEW

OF GOD vs.20-25
The word “see” in v.20 means, “Behold” or “Look!” He was eager to invest
what he had been given and now he’s excited to show the master what He
had done.
He’s bubbling with enthusiasm and thoroughly thrilled. He couldn’t wait to
present what he had done because he wanted to please the owner.
The master is thrilled with both of them because they demonstrated
responsibility for their ability. The master increased their resources after
they had proven themselves faithful. Lk.6:38
A.W. Tozer was right when he said that what we think about God is the
most important thing about us.
If we view God as a tyrant then we’ll filter everything through this lens.
Some of you may be secretly angry with God because you think He did
something, or didn’t do something that you think He should have. As a
result, your view of Him is skewed. Your preconceived notions prevent you
from seeing Him as a God of grace, and as a result you refuse to serve Him
with what He’s given you. When we blame God we end up burying our
blessings.
A faulty view of God can also lead to excuses – v.25
25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou
hast that is thine.

A wrong view of God always leads to fear.

NOTE: A right view of God always leads to faith. If you’re struggling with
fear today, the best antidote is to further your understanding of the
character of God and ask Him to grow your faith.
Courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is moving ahead in spite of
your fears.
Instead of being frozen by fear, they stepped out in faith.
 The first two were determined to make a profit; the third was
determined to not take a loss.

 The first two received the gift; the third refused the gift.

 The first two viewed the money as an opportunity; the third guy saw it
as a problem.

 The first two invested; the other one wasted.

 The first two saw a blessing; the third guy saw a burden.

6. WHAT WE HAVE WE MUST USE OR WHAT WE HAVE WE

WILL LOSE v.26
26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant,
thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not
strawed:
27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers,
and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten
talents.

These are pretty strong words. God will judge not merely for doing wrong,
but for not doing right!
Wickedness and laziness partner together to keep many people from full
surrender and service.

7. WHO YOU KNOW AND WHAT YOU DO WILL LEAD TO

EITHER ABUNDANCE OR AGONY IN THE NEXT LIFE v.29
29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance:
but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be
weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Those who have given themselves in full surrender and selfless service will
be given even more opportunities.
Jesus concludes this parable by saying that the worthless servant will be
thrown “outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and
gnashing of teeth.” This description is used elsewhere to refer to hell.
Those who don’t know God don’t serve Him. A lack of serving may indicate
that a person has never been truly converted. That’s why Jesus referred to
him as “worthless.”
NOTE: A believer has worth because of his faith in Christ. A distinguishing
mark of a true Christian is service and giving. A lack of service betrays a
heart where Jesus doesn’t really live.
Do you want abundance or agony in the next life? Determine to know the
Master and serve Him wholeheartedly. Don’t hide the truth. Don’t bury it.
Allow the greatest treasure of all Jesus Christ Himself to radically reform
your life.