The Parable of the Talents
Introduction
As Jesus drew near to Jerusalem, He made plain His mission: “The Son
of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke
19:10). Yet crowds still expected an immediate, earthly kingdom. To
correct that misconception and to prepare disciples for His
departure and return, Jesus taught a stewardship parable. Matthew
records it as the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14–30); Luke
records the parallel lesson with minas (Luke 19:11–27). Together
they emphasize the same truths—Christ’s kingdom is spiritual, there
will be a season of faithful work in the King’s absence, and there
will be an unavoidable day of accounting when He returns.
The Setting:
Misconceptions About the Kingdom
Luke says Jesus spoke this parable “because He was near Jerusalem
and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear
immediately” (Luke 19:11). Even after Jesus stated His saving
purpose, many still wanted a political Messiah. Parables—earthly
stories with heavenly meanings—cut through those expectations and
call for a decision of the heart.
The
Master’s Departure, Trust, and Return
In the story, a master journeys to a far country to receive a
kingdom and then return (Luke 19:12). Before leaving, he entrusts
his servants with his resources—talents in Matthew (large sums),
minas in Luke (about three months’ wages each)—and commands, “Do
business till I come” (Luke 19:13). The wealth is his, the
assignment is clear, and the time is uncertain. The point is
unmistakable: Christ ascends to the Father to receive the kingdom
(cf. Daniel 7:13–14) and will return. Meanwhile, His servants are to
steward what He has placed in their hands.
Two
Faithful Servants—and One Fearful One
When the master returns, he calls for an accounting.
• The first and second servants have invested, worked, and
multiplied what was entrusted. They hear, “Well done, good and
faithful servant,” and are granted greater responsibility (Matthew
25:21, 23; Luke 19:17–19).
• The third servant has buried his trust. He offers excuses about
the master’s strictness, but his inaction betrays unbelief and
laziness (Matthew 25:24–30; Luke 19:20–23). The master judges him
“out of [his] own mouth,” removes the trust, and exposes the
wickedness of waste.
What the
Parable Teaches
-
Christ’s kingdom is not political or immediate.
He departs to the Father and reigns from heaven; the Jerusalem
“from above” is what matters now (Galatians 4:26).
-
All we
have is a trust. Time, abilities,
opportunities, influence, and resources belong to the Master. We
manage them for Him (1 Corinthians 4:2).
-
Faithfulness, not equal outcomes, is the standard.
One produced ten, another five—both heard “Well done.” God
measures faithfulness with what you were given.
-
Excuses
reveal the heart. Fear, sloth,
and a distorted view of the Master lead to burying talents.
Reverent love produces wise, diligent labor.
-
There
will be reward—and loss. Faithful
servants receive commendation and larger stewardship; unfaithful
servants face loss and judgment (2 Thessalonians 1:7–9).
Bringing It
Home: How to “Do Business Till He Comes”
• Consecrate your
calendar. Use the days you have for kingdom
purposes—worship, prayer, Scripture, service.
• Deploy your gifts.
Identify what the Lord has actually placed in your hands and put it
to work in your congregation, home, workplace, and community (Romans
12:6–8).
• Invest in people.
The King seeks the lost; so must we. Sow the word, encourage the
weak, bear burdens (Luke 19:10; Galatians 6:2).
• Plan for accountability.
Live today as if the audit were tonight. Faithfulness is built in
ordinary obedience over time.
• Refuse paralysis.
If you are tempted to bury your trust, start small: take one
talent-sized step today—make the call, teach the class, give the
gift, visit the hurting.
The Parable of
the Talents Sermon Outline
-
Introduction
-
Master
and Servants
-
The
Reports
-
Faithful
servants multiply the trust; rewarded with “Well done”
(Matthew 25:21, 23; Luke 19:17–19)
-
Fearful
servant hides the trust; judged by his own words (Matthew
25:24–30; Luke 19:20–23)
-
Core
Doctrines
-
Spiritual nature of the kingdom (John 18:36; Daniel 7:13–14)
-
Stewardship and accountability (1 Corinthians 4:2; Romans
14:12)
-
Reward
for faithfulness; loss for faithlessness (Matthew 25:21,
29–30)
-
Applications
Call to
Action
The Master has entrusted you with time, abilities, opportunities,
and resources—and He will return. If you have been burying what He
placed in your hands, repent and begin to invest it today. If you
have been laboring in faith, take heart and abound still more. Let
it be your aim to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Key
Takeaways
-
The King
departs to receive the kingdom and will return—work faithfully
in the meantime (Luke 19:11–13).
-
Everything
in your hand is a trust from the Master (Matthew 25:14–15).
-
Faithfulness
is measured by what you do with what you were given, not by
comparing yourself to others (Matthew 25:21, 23).
-
Excuses are
judged; obedience is rewarded (Luke 19:22; Matthew 25:29–30).
-
Live ready
for the audit—today.
Scripture
Reference List
-
Luke 19:1–10
— Zacchaeus and Jesus’ mission
-
Luke
19:11–27 — Parable of the minas (parallel lessons)
-
Matthew
25:14–30 — Parable of the talents
-
Daniel
7:13–14 — The Son of Man receives a kingdom
-
John 18:36 —
“My kingdom is not of this world”
-
Galatians
4:26 — Jerusalem above
-
1
Corinthians 4:2 — Stewards must be found faithful
-
Romans 14:12
— Each will give account to God
-
2
Thessalonians 1:7–9 — Judgment on those who do not obey the
gospel
Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at
Granby, MO
|
The
church of Christ
