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More Matthew commentaries
Matthew 22:1-14
The Banquet Invitation
Matthew 22:15-22
Bombarded With Tricky Questions
Matthew 22:23-33
Is There Marriage in Heaven?
Matthew 22:34-46
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Matthew 23:13-26
Blinded to God’s Truth
Matthew 23:27-39
White Washed Sepulchers
Matthew 24:1-14
The Olivet Discourse
Matthew 24:32-51
A Faithful Servant
Matthew 25:1-13
The Foolish Bridesmaids
Matthew 25:14-30
The Wise and Foolish Stewards
Matthew 25:31-46
The Sheep and Goat Judgment
Matthew 26:1-5
Jesus Predicts His Death
Matthew 26:6-16
At Simon the Leper’s House
Matthew 26:17-30
The Lord’s Supper
Matthew 26:31-35
Three Characteristics of Jesus
Matthew 26:36-46
The Weekness of our Flesh
Matthew 26:47-56
Jesus Is Arrested
Matthew 26:57-68
Jesus on Trial
Matthew 27:1-10
Judas’ Sorrow and Suicide
Matthew 27:11-26
Trial Before Pilate
Matthew 27:27-44
The Mockery and Crucifixion
Matthew 27:57-66
Burial in Joseph’s Tomb
Matthew 28:1-10
Women Visit the Tomb
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The Wise and Foolish Stewards
Matthew 25:14–30
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
Benjamin Franklin left a fund of $5,000 to the city of Boston in 1791. His will provided that interest from this fund be allowed to accumulate for 300 years. By 1891, the $5,000 had grown to $92,000, and the balance was invested for a second century. By 1959, the market value of … More
The three servants fell into two categories: faithful, and unfaithful. The five-talent and two-talent servants used their talents to do the work of the master, making 100 percent profit (vv. 16-17). The one-talent servant was unfaithful because he didn’t use his opportunities to invest but instead hid his talent in the earth (v. 18). He did not squander that which was given to him but by doing nothing with it, his unfaithfulness resulted in no expansion of the works of his master. Because this man was afraid he might fail, he never tried to succeed.
On his return the master judged the stewardship of his servants and not according to how many talents each possessed (vv. 19-30). The master praised the two who had doubled their investment (vv. 19-23). However he was very disappointed with the servant who buried his in the ground and called him wicked and lazy (vv. 24-27). In fact he took this servants money and gave it to the one with 10 talents and cast this useless servant into outer darkness (vv. 28-30). Consider how Jesus has turned over His property to us who know Him and on His return will require an accounting.
Application
Those who have invested their lives in Christ’s service are given greater responsibilities as they demonstrate that they can be trusted to do what has been assigned to them. Those who cannot be counted on will lose the opportunity to perform at all. Where do I fall in this program?
Matthew 25:14-30 (English Standard Version)
"For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.' But his master answered him, 'You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."'
View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway) »
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