Matthew 25:14-30 - The Parable Of The Talents.

Matthew 25:14-30: The Parable Of The Talents.

Matthew 25:21 (AMP)  His master said to him, Well done, you 
upright (honorable, admirable) and faithful servant! You have been 
faithful and trustworthy over a little; I will put you in charge of much. 
Enter into and share the joy (the delight, the blessedness) which your 
master enjoys. 

OVERVIEW AND INTRODUCTION

Christ on the Mount of Olives had spoken to His disciples of His 
second advent to the world. He had specified certain signs that were to 
show when His coming was near, and had bidden His disciples watch and 
be ready. Again He repeated the warning, "Watch therefore; for ye 
know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh." 
Then He showed what it means to watch for His coming. The time is to 
be spent, not in idle waiting, but in diligent working. This lesson 
He taught in the parable of the talents.  {COL 325.1} 

Christ's followers have been redeemed for service. Our Lord 
teaches that the true object of life is ministry. Christ Himself was a 
worker, and to all His followers He gives the law of service--service to 
God and to their fellow men. Here Christ has presented to the world 
a higher conception of life than they had ever known. By living to 
minister for others, man is brought into connection with Christ. The law 
of service becomes the connecting link which binds us to God and to 
our fellow men.  {COL 326.3} 

He gives "to every man his work." Each has his place in the 
eternal plan of heaven. Each is to work in co-operation with Christ for 
the salvation of souls. {COL 326.4} 

The more one tries to explain the word of God to others, with a 
love for souls, the plainer it becomes to himself. The more we use 
our knowledge and exercise our powers, the more knowledge and power 
we shall have.  {COL 354.1} 

COMMENTARY AND APPLICATIONS

Learning, talents, eloquence, every natural or acquired 
endowment, may be possessed; but without the presence of the Spirit of God, 
no heart will be touched, no sinner be won to Christ. On the other 
hand, if they are connected with Christ, if the gifts of the Spirit 
are theirs, the poorest and most ignorant of His disciples will have 
a power that will tell upon hearts. God makes them the channel for 
the outworking of the highest influence in the universe.  {COL 
328.1} 

Talents used are talents multiplied. Success is not the result 
of chance or of destiny; it is the outworking of God's own 
providence, the reward of faith and discretion, of virtue and persevering 
effort. The Lord desires us to use every gift we have; and if we do 
this, we shall have greater gifts to use. He does not supernaturally 
endow us with the qualifications we lack; but while we use that which 
we have, He will work with us to increase and strengthen every 
faculty. By every wholehearted, earnest sacrifice for the Master's 
service our powers will increase. While we yield ourselves as 
instruments for the Holy Spirit's working, the grace of God works in us to 
deny old inclinations, to overcome powerful propensities, and to form 
new habits. As we cherish and obey the promptings of the Spirit, our 
hearts are enlarged to receive more and more of His power, and to do 
more and better work. Dormant energies are aroused, and palsied 
faculties receive new life.  {COL 353.1} 

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS

The talents represent any kind of resource we are given. God 
gives us time, gifts, and other resources according to our abilities, 
and he expects us to invest them wisely until he returns. We are 
responsible to use well what God has given us. The issue is not how much we 
have, but how well we use what we have. [Life Application SB] 

We must never measure our spiritual capacity on the basis of our 
education or our intellect; our capacity in spiritual things is measured 
on the basis of the promises of God.... Never forget that our 
capacity and capability in spiritual matters is measured by, and based 
on, the promises of God. Is God able to fulfill His promises? Our 
answer depends on whether or not we have received the Holy Spirit. [My 
Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers re 2Co.1:20] 

Several centuries ago, the Emperor of Japan commissioned a 
Japanese artist to paint a particular species of bird for him. Months 
passed, then years. Finally, the Emperor himself went to the artist's 
studio to ask for an explanation. 
The artist set a blank canvas on the easel and within fifteen 
minutes, had completed a painting of the bird. It was a masterpiece! 
Admiring both the painting and the artist's great skill, the Emperor 
asked why there had been such a long delay. 
The artist then went from cabinet to cabinet in his studio. He 
pulled from them armloads of drawings of feathers, tendons, wings, 
feet, claws, eyes, beaks--virtually every aspect of a bird, from 
virtually every angle. He placed them before the Emperor, who nodded in 
understanding. The magnificence of any finished product can never be greater 
than the magnificence of any singular detail. 
To have an excellent life, strive for an excellent year. Within 
that year, strive for an excellent month, and within that month, 
strive for an excellent day. Within a day, strive for an excellent 
hour. An excellent life is the sum of many excellent moments! [God's 
Little Devotional Bible]