The earth is the Lord’s, and EVERYTHING in it. The world and all its people belong to him. (Psalm 24:1 NLT)

• Our responsibility is to faithfully manage, protect, expand, multiply or increase the property of the owner, God. Everything belongs to Him.
• In the Kingdom of God, stewardship is measured by servanthood.

The Parable of The Talents: Matthew 25:14-30

• A talent is not a skill set but a weight of worth. Someone’s net worth at the end of his life.
• This parable is about measuring and rewarding our stewardship based on our works.
• For that specific reason, works, this parable is not talking about salvation: heaven or hell. Because salvation is not about works!

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called HIS OWN SERVANTS and delivered HIS GOODS TO THEM. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, TO EACH ACCORDING TO HIS OWN ABILITY (CAPACITY); and immediately he went on a journey.  (Matthew 25: 14-15 NKJ)

• Is the owner being unfair and unjust by giving them 3 different amounts?
• God, the owner, is always fair and just.

He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect. Everything he does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright he is! (Deuteronomy 32:4 NLT)

• God gave to each one the exact resources to match their capacity to produce.
• The exact amount of resources for the assignment, the calling.

For we are GOD’S MASTERPIECE. He has created us ANEW IN CHRIST Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:10 NLT)

• We are not given equal amount of resources but equal opportunity to succeed.
• The expectation of the owner was simple: Be productive!

Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. (Matthew 25: 16-17 NKJ)

• Servant #1 was productive and doubled his amount from 5 to 10
• Servant #2 was equally productive and doubled his amount from 2 to 4

But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. (Matthew 25:18 NKJ)

• The expectation from the owner was simple: Be productive!

‘Do business till I come.’ (Luke 19:13 NKJ)

• The expectation is to do business or to be productive…and the last part is vital: “till I come”

After a long time THE LORD of those servants came and settled accounts with them. (Matthew 25: 19 NKJ)

• Jesus is coming back to settle accounts. How did you handle my resources?

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10 NIV)

• The judgment seat is a place where you get rewarded for being productive with your talent.

“So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ (Matthew 25:20-23 NKJ)

• They both received different amounts, 5 and 2 but they both received the same reward: “Well done,good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.”

“Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ (Matthew 25:24-25 NKJ)

• His perception of God, the owner, was that of a hard man instead of a Loving Father!

“But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. (Matthew 25: 26-28 NKJ)

• He missed the opportunity to receive the same reward as the others.
• He wanted no record of his talent and therefore no accountability.
• Without accountability, there is no stewardship!
• Salvation is free! Heaven is free! But stewardship is your responsibility!

CONCLUSION

• What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this message?