The Wise And Foolish Stewards

Topic: Investment

Passage: Matthew 25:14–30

November 26, 2019

Commentary

Jesus told the story of a master with three servants. The master went on a long journey and gave each servant talents of money which were distributed according to each person’s ability (vv. 14-15). These talents were worth a minimum of $1,000 each (about 20 years wages) in those days and would have been infinitely more today.

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 (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. The fact that the latter man is called wicked and slothful and an unprofitable servant who is cast into outer darkness, indicates that he is not a true disciple of the Master.

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 (NET)

¹⁴ “For it is like a man going on a journey, who summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them. ¹⁵ To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. ¹⁶ The one who had received five talents went off right away and put his money to work and gained five more. ¹⁷ In the same way, the one who had two gained two more. ¹⁸ But the one who had received one talent went out and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money in it. ¹⁹ After a long time, the master of those slaves came and settled his accounts with them. ²⁰ The one who had received the five talents came and brought five more, saying, ‘Sir, you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’ ²¹ His master answered, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful in a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’ ²² The one with the two talents also came and said, ‘Sir, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more.’ ²³ His master answered, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful with a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’ ²⁴ Then the one who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Sir, I knew that you were a hard man, harvesting where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed, ²⁵ so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’ ²⁶ But his master answered, ‘Evil and lazy slave! So you knew that I harvest where I didn’t sow and gather where I didn’t scatter? ²⁷ Then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received my money back with interest! ²⁸ Therefore take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten. ²⁹ For the one who has will be given more, and he will have more than enough. But the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. ³⁰ And throw that worthless slave into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’