What have
you done?
Our Gospel lesson is a continuation from the parable
related to the Lord’s return from last Sunday. In the parable of the 10 virgins
a basic and yet profound principle is made – each must believe for himself.
In the parable concerning the talents the question for
us to consider is this - what have you done with the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
Did you use it or did you abuse it? Did you let your light shine or did that
light go out?
According to the parable, the Lord’s return is long
delayed (v. 19). The servants are asked to give an account of their investment.
Two servants doubled the investment and the third preserved what he was given.
The third servant was condemned for not making the
most of his talent. It was taken from him and given to the other two.
Jesus has ascended and His return has been delayed.
When He comes, He will ask for an accounting whether we have worked for Him
while He was absent or whether we have cared only for our security. When Christ
returns He will ask each of us “What have
you done with the Gospel entrusted to you?” Let us pray…
“Lord God, so
rule and govern our hearts and minds by your Holy Spirit that, always keeping
in mind the end of all things and the day of judgment, we may be stirred up to
holiness of life here and may live with you forever in the world to come.”
To one servant He gave five talents, meaning a sum of
money, to a second two, and to a third one. Why is life like that? I don't
know. We are all equal in the eyes of God. We are all guaranteed equal rights
under the Constitution. In an election our votes are all equal. But when it
comes to our abilities, we are as different as different can be. God simply did
not make us all the same. In the Lord’s economy equality is predicated upon
difference not sameness.
There are some people who can handle five talents;
there are some who can handle only one. There are some persons who have great
intellectual capabilities, and some who do not.
There are some who have the ability to project and
articulate their thoughts, and there are some who cannot.
There are some who have physical prowess and
attractive looks, and there are some who do not. The important thing to
remember is that each servant was given something. No one was left idle.
Some claim that they have no gift, that they have no
talent. As a result, they fail to use and develop what little God may have
given them in terms of possessions, natural gifts, and faith. People, we need
to be challenged to use all the gifts to the fullest for the glory of God. This
parable asks each of us to answer the question: “What have you done with the gospel of Jesus Christ?”
1. Some hide
it for fear of losing it —I was afraid and went out and hid your
talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you. v. 25.
Accomplishing a little is better than accomplishing
nothing at all. The reason why the master was so angry at the servant who
buried his talent was because he did nothing. The only real failure in life is
in giving up. God's grace is endless therefore we never need to give up. When
you give up, you close the door on God changing you.
Transition:
Use it or lose it.
2. Invest it — 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. v. 27.
The servant who was given five talents was called good
and faithful because he went at once to put his talents to work—do the same.
Whatever it is that you need to accomplish in your life, there is something you
can do TODAY to get started. It's not our job to worry about what we don't
have; it's our job to make the most of what we do have.
Transition:
Faithfulness always leads to a promotion.
3. Multiply
it — The man with the two talents also came. 'Master,' he said, 'you
entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.' "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!' vv. 22-23.
You'll be given opportunities according to your
ability. Not everyone gets the same opportunity, because not everyone is
capable of handling the same amount of responsibility. Whether you're faithful
with a little or a lot, God is equally pleased. Being responsible always leads
to more responsibility.
God gives each a gift according to each one’s ability
to use it. In the last analysis, however, we are all equal in being accountable
for whatever gift we have. A person's calling should not lie hidden and barren:
it should be out- going, apostolic and self-sacrificial. "Don't lose your
effectiveness; instead, trample on your selfishness. You think your life is for
yourself?
Your life is for God, for the good of all men, though your love for our Lord. Your buried talent, dig it up again! Make it yield. Christ has entrusted you to the work of His kingdom. Why? Because He believes in you.
Passive Sentences – 14%
Readability – 77.9%
Reading Level – 5.4
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