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Prepare Your Heart

To the best of your ability, get rid of all distractions. Take a few minutes to breathe deeply and quiet yourself in the Lord’s presence. Then, ask the Lord to speak to you in this time. Let Him know that you will listen and make whatever adjustments He will reveal to you.

Read God’s Word

Exodus 35:30-37:29
Matthew 25:1-30

A Verse for Today

Slowly and reflectively read the following verse(s) and listen to what God will say to you through His written Word. Consider writing down any insights He reveals to you.

Matthew 25:14-15 (CSB): “For it (the kingdom of Heaven) is just like a man about to go on a journey. He called his own servants and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent, depending on each one’s ability. Then he went on a journey…”

Reflecting on God’s Word

The Parable of the Talents is lengthy and very important. It gives us some insights into how we should live our lives as Jesus-followers in this world. This parable encourages us to make the most of the opportunities God has given us to further His Kingdom.

To begin with, we need to understand what “talent” means. In the English language, it refers to some ability or skill. But, in this parable, it doesn’t mean that. Instead, it is a sum of money given to each slave “depending on each one’s ability” (v. 15). This is important: the “talents” were the opportunities each person was given, according to their abilities, to advance the Kingdom of Heaven on earth.

So, at the beginning of this parable, we are told that “a man” (a.k.a. Jesus) has given varying opportunities to further the Kingdom to all people on earth, and those opportunities are given in proportion to each person’s ability to use those opportunities.

The first two slaves use their abilities to make the most of their opportunities “to seek first the Kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33). This means they share the Gospel with others. They are helping believers “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). They serve others and meet needs in Jesus’ Name. Essentially, they obey God’s Word and live for Jesus, doing what He desires.

But, one slave, the one who received one talent, represents an unbeliever. He didn’t use the opportunities God gave him to further the Kingdom. Why? Because he didn’t like the Lord. This is clearly demonstrated in how harshly this unbeliever talked to the Lord in this parable (Matthew 25:24-25).

Let’s conclude with some insightful principles we can glean from this parable:

  • Some Jesus-followers have incredible abilities and opportunities to advance the Kingdom of God, while others have much less. There is no shame in this. We are only responsible for what we have been given.
  • All Jesus-followers will live for Jesus (bearing the “fruit” of being a believer) as they work to advance His Kingdom.
  • How a Jesus-follower uses their abilities and opportunities to advance the Kingdom on earth will determine the sort of privileges and responsibilities they get in Heaven. This is all the more reason to make the most of this life for Jesus and not waste it.
  • The Lord graciously gives unbelievers abilities and opportunities, but because they do not love Him, they will not use what they have been given to further the Kingdom.
  • Each unbeliever’s lack of furthering the Kingdom will demonstrate that they never belonged to the Lord. So, on the day of judgment, He will consign them to a place of “outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teach.” Outer darkness speaks of a place far away from “God, who is light” (1 John 1:5). “Weeping” speaks of intense sadness and torment. “Gnashing of teeth” speaks of anger and fury. These words give us a hint of the horrors of Hell.

From this parable, we discover that how we spend our lives demonstrates whether we truly belong to the King. If we trust in Jesus Christ alone for eternal life, we will be “seeking first His Kingdom and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33) in this life. Let’s get busy!

Spend Time in Prayer

Lord Jesus, You never intended for me to get saved only to seek my own kingdom. Instead, You saved me to seek first Your Kingdom. I realize from the Parable of the Talents that living an obedient, purposeful life of advancing Your Kingdom on earth will have eternal ramifications. So, help me to use my abilities and the opportunities You send my way to “be about my Father’s business” (Luke 2:49). I pray this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Going Deeper

If you want to go deeper, check out this article by Got Questions: “What is the meaning of the Parable of the Talents?”

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Matt Ellis is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Polk City, Florida (fbcpolkcity.com).

Photo by Tim Wildsmith on Unsplash