“Through the Looking Glass” The Kingdom of Heaven as seen through the parables of Jesus
“For now we see through a glass…” – I Cor. 13:12
“In We God Trusts”
The Talents – Matthew 25:14-30
14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ 23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’
26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
God gives PERSONALLY CUSTOMIZED responsibility. (vs. 14-15a)
Cross Reference: Luke 19:12-13, 15
THE PURPOSE WAS FOR INCREASE, NOT FOR SELF-INDULGENCE OR SAFE-KEEPING.
THE SMALLER AMOUNT WAS NO SMALL AMOUNT! 1 Talent = 20 years’ salary
“ACCORDING TO ABILITY”
NOBODY’S AMOUNT IS A SMALL AMOUNT!
EVERY SPIRITUAL GIFT WORTH ITS WEIGHT IN THE HOLY SPIRIT!
EVERY ONE OF US IS GIVEN AT LEAST ONE!
ABILITY IS GIFT-RELEVANT, NOT QUANTITY-RELEVANT
God gives PERSONAL FREEDOM IN responsibility. (vs. 15b-18)
HE LEAVES THE FOOTWORK OF THE KINGDOM IN OUR SHOES
HE LEAVES HIS REPUTATION IN OUR REPRESENTATION
God gives ACCOUNTABILITY WITH responsibility. (vs. 19)
WE WILL ANSWER FOR WHAT WE’VE DONE WITH WHAT HE’S GIVEN US.
God gives CLEAR EXPECTATIONS OF responsibility. (vs. 20-27)
HIS EXPECTATIONS ARE GIFT-RELEVANT (“ABILITY”)
(THE ONE THAT GAINED TWO GOT SAME RESPONSE AS THE ONE THAT GAINED 5)
HIS RESPONSES ARE PURPOSE-RELEVANT (& FAIR/JUST)
God gives RESOURCES TO THOSE FAITHFUL WITH responsibility. (vs. 28-30)
“USE IT OR LOSE IT!”
PHYSICAL, MATERIAL, AND SPIRITUAL RESOURCES!
“BLESSINGS”
WHAT AM I DOING FOR GOD’S PURPOSE WITH WHAT GOD HAS GIVEN ME?
“Whoever has ears, let them hear.” – #Jesus@matthew11.15