Are You Using Your Talents for God?

What the Parable of the Talents says.  (Matthew 25:14-30)

1. The Participants:

a. A Man traveling to a far country - The Lord Jesus Christ who was to return to Heaven. He was departing to prepare a place for his disciples (John 14:1-4).

b. The servants - They are Christians who are servants of Jesus and left behind to do His work till He returns.

2. The trust given:

a. Each servant was entrusted with talents.

b. It was in relation to their differing abilities. One was given five talents, one two, and one was given one.

3. The Master's journey:

a. The Master went away and left his disciples to carry on his work. (Ephesians 4:10 – "He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.”)

b. Two of the servants labor and bring forth an increase based on their ability. One is fearful and hides his talents.

4. The Reckoning:

a. The Master returns and calls for an accounting. (2 Corinthians 5:10)  "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”

b. He blesses both the five and two talent man for being faithful "over a few things." (Ephesians 2:7-9)  "That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

c. He deals harshly with the one talent man. His excuse is called wicked and lazy. He is cast out into "outer darkness." (Matthew 25:30)  "And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

III. LESSONS TO BE LEARNED FROM THIS PARABLE:

A. God entrusts every Christian with certain abilities to be used in His service.

1.  Our life no longer belongs to us. Whatever God has given us, we are responsible to use to the best of our ability to His glory. And God has given ability to all His children!

B. Each Christian will be judged, based on his own use of God's gifts; not what we do not have.

1. 2 Corinthians 8:12 - "For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.”

2. The Word is clear. There is a law of sowing and reaping! We do not have to reap the spiritual harvest for others. We are responsible for ourselves.

a. Galatians 6:7-8  "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.”

C. Each Christian will be called on to give an account for his/her life.

1. Each of the three servants was called before his Master for the day of reckoning.

2. Romans 14:10-12 "But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written: "As I live, says the LORD, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God." So then each of us shall give account of himself to God."

3. And we need to remember that all we need to do to go to eternal punishment is to DO NOTHING AT ALL!!    

a. James 4:17 - "Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin."