Look Closer, Part 10: The Parable of the Talents

The Parable of 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 property to them. ¹⁵ 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. ¹⁶ The man who had received five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. ¹⁷ So also, the one with two talents gained two more. ¹⁸ But the man who had received one talent 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 talents brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five talents. 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 talents also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two talents; 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 talent 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 talent 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 talent 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.’”

The Traps of the Talents

The trap of

Key Kingdom Principle: Everyone gets equal and

The trap of

Key Kingdom Principle: Knowing your master’s character and his posture toward you is essential. God is both and !

The trap of

Key Kingdom Principle: Fear drives you into the world, drives you out of it

Key Kingdom Principle: In God’s Kingdom, is greater than .

The trap of

Key Kingdom Principle: God has an expectation that you will what you have been .

Insight: What’s in your hand? How are you using it?

Relationships – Experience – Skill – Tears
Time – Listening – Failures – Trust – Wisdom
Hope – Concern – Resources – Authentic Identity

Small Group Questions

1. Have you missed the rain during this dry season? Why or why not?
2. Of all the parables we’ve covered so far, is there one that’s stood out to you or has changed or challenged how you live?
3. Read Matthew 25:14-30 out loud. What are your questions, thoughts, confusions, or insights as you engage in the spiritual practice of reading scripture out loud?
4. Which of the traps have you fallen into? What can you do today to accept God’s freedom?
5. What has God placed in your hand that you can invest for him today? Share a concrete step that you will do this week to be bring a return on whatever God has entrusted to you.
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?