Matthew 25:14 – 19

The Parable of the Talents - 1

14 “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.

15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.

16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.

17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also.

18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money.

19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

Jesus uses this parable to teach the duties of the Lord's servants from another perspective. The opening of this talent is described as the kingdom of heaven (church) is like a man going on a long trip.

This indicates the man gave his belongings to his servants for them to care for.

Paul tells us in 1 Timothy 6:7 that we bring nothing into the world and it is sure we can take nothing with us when we pass out of this world.

We must understand all of our belongings on this earth really do not belong to us but are given to us by God to care for.

The talent is an amount of money which is represented by a precious metal's weight representing a currency. It is really of no importance of the value other than the first servant received a value of five, the second a value of two and the third servant a value of one.

The lord knew the abilities each servant possessed and gave them their responsibilities based on their abilities.

In verses 16 and 17 both of the first two servants took their money which was entrusted to them and invested it and by making the proper use of it, doubled their amount of money.

The third servant did nothing with the money he was entrusted with.

In verse 19 the master returns from his journey and seeks a report from the servants on the status of the money which was entrusted into their care before he left the area.