The Parable Of The Talents (Mt. 25:14-30)

Read Matthew 25:14-30.

1.  The master chose the servants to whom he entrusted His goods.

2.  The Master gave to each servant according to ability.  Though a servant might feel overwhelmed at first, he couldn't say that it was impossible.  The master knew that the servants could, or else he wouldn't have chosen them.

3.  The master didn't tell the servants how to get increase or how much increase to get.  Those matters were left to the mind and heart of each servant.

4.  The master expected an increase from each servant.  If not, why did he reprimand severely the last servant?

Observations:

• The opposite of "good and faithful" is not "bad and unfaithful" but "wicked and slothful."
• Character ("good") and competence ("faithful") both go into becoming successful.
• What you end with is just as important as what you start with.
• Beware, lest "good and faithful" be focused only on maintenance and not on growth or increase.
• If you don't know how, ask those who do.  How come the third servant didn't ask for help from the other two?
• What distinguished the third servant from the first two was fear.  (Of whom or what are you afraid?)
• There is always a way to increase, small of an increase as it might be (v. 26).  Creativity should never be sought as a magic replacement for common sense.

The Unprofitable Servant (Mt. 25:30)

Read Matthew 25:30.

In context (Mt. 25:24-27), "unprofitable" (Mt. 25:30) is not defined by lack of results but by lack of effort.  The Master did not give this servant a trust he couldn't manage (Mt. 25:15).  What's behind the lack of effort?

• Comparison with others.  Remember, you don't have another man's assignment, gifts, perspective, history, education, etc.  Faithfulness is about implementation before it is about increase.
• A skewed perspective of the Master.  Yes, He is exacting, but He is also fair and loving. Remember, He didn't have to entrust you with anything!
• Self-pity.  Your assignment isn't as glamorous as someone else's.  You get easily discouraged and believe subconsciously that you don't deserve success.  All you can talk about are failure and hardship.
• Laziness.  The assignment becomes about preservation rather than expansion.  You get easily overwhelmed, so you pull back and keep things safe and manageable.  You enjoy talking about hard work but that's all you do -- talk.
• Suspicion of the "successful."  You think that, somehow, others are in an ideal environment or have an unfair advantage.  It is actually envy that is at work here.  Because you are envious, you won't reach out for help.