The Parable of the Talents
A two part study
This parable of the talents places emphasis on the matter of Jesus’ disciples and the work they must do in his absence. This message is a charge for his disciples of that day, and even now is a charge to us as Disciples of Christ, to see to the use of the (talents) that we have been given. Each of us has a responsibility, some of us more so than others in support of and to help the message of salvation to reach all the world. Should we choose not to respond in kind, there will be consequences.
This parable is a two part study. First we will study our several talents, and examine their possibilities. In the second part of the study we will study how we are expected to use them and the consequences of refusing to do so.
Opening Prayer: God our Father, we ask Your blessing on our study tonight, and ask that we take from it that which You have purposed for our use in growing Your Kingdom. We pray that you will judge us not on the results, of our efforts, but on our willingness to use those talents which you have given to us for that purpose. Be with those of our group who cannot be here tonight. We ask that you share our blessing with them. And we pray that You will make a blessing for those of us and our friends and loved ones who need your healing touch. We pray that You will Join with us now as we study Your Word. In Jesus Name we pray, AMEN
Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30
14 "For it will be as when a man going on a journey called his servants and entrusted to them his property; 15 to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them; and he made five talents more. 17 So also, he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 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.' 21 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.' 22 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.' 23 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.' 24 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 did not winnow; 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.' 26 But his master answered him, `You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sowed, and gather where I have not winnowed? 27 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. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to every one who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.'
Pg.2
The parable teaches 4 basic principles of a successful approach to life
First, this parable teaches us that God has given to each of us certain abilities and attributes that differ one from another, so that each may serve Him in ways that are unique to our specific gifts;
Second, the parable teaches that God gives to each of us the ability and resources, to do what He has called us to do, and He asks no more from us than what He has given us the ability to do;
Thirdly, this parable teaches us that success is a product of the proper use of God’s gifts to us, and the effort that we are willing to put forth to manifest them in our lives;
Fourthly, We are led by this parable to come to the knowledge that each of us, as we use our gifts in service to Him, are to understand that we do not serve Him to our own glorification, but it is for His Glory that we strive.
And there is a fifth conditional lesson to be learned from this parable as well. And that is that those who are given even the barest minimum of these certain gifts, but have no desire to please God with their efforts in any way will indeed suffer the consequences.
We read in this parable that the rewards are commensurate with the results of our work. So then are we to understand that Jesus is teaching us that works do matter when assessing one’s faith? Of course the answer is yes, But they must accompany reason and faith.
Jesus was not born of woman as a man for the purpose of anything other than making a way of salvation to all those who are otherwise lost souls, and He did that by doing the work that God sent Him to this earth to do, and when he had accomplished that task, (dying to save lost sinners) he declared that “It is finished” This is a classic statement of truth. God conceived Him, gave him a family, educated Him, fully equipped him, and gave Him the time and the resources which he used in his work. Jesus Christ is the Epitome of good works and faith, not everyone believes that, but we as Christians know it is true. Jesus Christ is our salvation. “Jesus Saves”
Now we as Christians are just not equipped to even scratch the surface on the work of salvation that was accomplished by Jesus. God has not equipped us to do the works that Christ did, but we have been equipped with the time, the resources and the ability to make the effort that God expects us to make in order to spread his message worldwide.
Q.1 How does this parable teach us that success is a product of our own effort?
Q.2 Regarding Quotas, can someone explain how that applies to one’s effort?
Q.3 Can we explain God’s gifts of time and ability, do some have more than others?
Q.4 How is it evident that God expects differing results from different people?
Q.5 If God has given us these attributes, why does God not state the desired result ?
Q.6 We are cautioned not to work for our own glorification in doing God’s work, Why wouldn’t it be helpful if we became famous for doing God’s work?
Q.7 In this parable, there is mention of “talents” is this the same as Gifts of the Spirit? If so What are our gifts?
Q.8 There are consequences for those who misuse, or do not use their gifts, but what of those who feel that they have no gifts?
Pg.3
A distribution according to our ability
14 "For it will be as when a man going on a journey called his servants and entrusted to them his property; 15 to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.
Here we are to understand that The Man (God) Who is going to go away for a time, but will return. He knows the certain abilities of each of his servants, (us), and now he turns over his property to us to care for. Each one is given some portion for which they are to be responsible.
God has gifted us with who we are, now it is our gift back to him to make who we are a better more productive and righteous person, using his gifts to us as the basis for our investment, and we are to make of it what our abilities will allow.
As disciples we are to care for God’s world. Just as he expected from Adam and Eve, we too are to be responsible for the share which we have been given. Of all his gifts to us, none are alike, each of us has been given our own special abilities. God knows our abilities, and what we are capable of, and has challenged us accordingly. Each with a different charge,
God, as he did with Adam and Eve, has placed before us, certain responsibilities and it is up to each of us as to if, and how we are to manage those responsibilities. He makes “distinctions” among people in regard to abilities, and in the powers and opportunities of usefulness, requiring them to discharge their duties there, to the best of their ability.
Q.1 Why did The man not give each one the same amount of talents with which to work?
Q.2 How does God know to make distinctions among people?
Q.3 What about those who hear God’s call and do nothing?
Q.4 Can one go through this life and never become aware of these certain responsibilities?
Q.5 Isn’t there something missing here? A list of what to do and how to do it?
Q.6 Or do we just choose what to do, and how we want to do it? Or not?
Q.7 How can we determine our gift(s)?
Q.8 We have listed some of our gifts, now do we know what our gift is?
Pg.4
How to express responsibility
16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them; and he made five talents more. 17 So also, he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money.
One servant invested and doubled the amount that he invested, by trading. Another did the same but with a lesser amount, and a third took the amount given him and buried it. It neither gained in value nor did it lose value.
This verse is telling us that God has given each of us in differing amounts, the ability, time, and resources to do the work that he is expecting us to do. It is illustrating what the possibilities are and what our abilities are capable of accomplishing.
We are Disciples with a charge to keep. but servants too, who must give an account of our stewardship. The number of talents varies with our ability to manage them. The Master is not unreasonable, and never places more on us than we are able to do. It is by use that the power to use grows. By carefully employing our opportunities, our sphere of service may be greatly widened, so that, at the end of life, we shall be able to do more than at the outset. The time, talent, ability, and resources we were blessed enough to receive are gifts from God and are not for our own edification nor for the use by us for self promotion, but to use in service to God for His use and His alone.
Q.1 How would you rate the ability of the first servant who had been given five talents?
Q.2 And likewise the servant who had been given two talents?
Q.3 And then the third servant, what was his problem?
Q.4 Now then which servant would you choose to do your investing?
Q.5 Have you by now determined what your skill is?
Closing Prayer: Dear God, be with us now as we go our separate ways. We pray that You will help us in our efforts to apply the teachings of Jesus to our daily living. Help us to be faithful stewards of your word, and give us the desire and the will to do the work of growing Your Kingdom as we go about our daily living. We ask that You offer Your healing touch to those of our friends and loved ones who are suffering, and in poor health ____________Give them Your peace and comfort to help them through their trials. In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN.
We will resume next week with the second part of our study of the parable of the talents.
A compilation of The Gifts of The Spirit taken from Biblical passages
For use with the parable of the talents
There are three biblical lists of the “gifts of the Spirit,” also known as spiritual gifts. The three main passages describing the spiritual gifts are Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; and 1 Corinthians 12:28. The spiritual gifts identified in Romans 12 are prophesying, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leadership, and mercy. The list in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 includes the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, distinguishing between spirits, speaking in tongues and interpretation of tongues. The list in 1 Corinthians 12:28 includes healings, helps, guidance, diversities of tongues. And from James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
1) Prophecy – to interpret the purposes of God, preachers are our prophets, they have been called by God and educated to lead guide and direct their congregations, under God’s direction, that is a gift.
2) Serving – Also referred to as “ministering,” the word “deacon,” means service of any kind, the broad application of practical help to those in need.
3) Teaching – This gift involves the analysis and proclamation of the Word of God, to clearly instruct and communicate knowledge, specifically the doctrines of the faith.
4) Encouraging – Also called “exhortation,” to call upon others to heed and follow God’s truth, which may involve correction or building others up by strengthening weak faith or comforting in trials.
5) Giving – Those who joyfully share what they have, whether it is financial, material, or the giving of personal time and attention.
6) Leadership – One with the gift of leadership rules with wisdom and grace and exhibits the fruit of the Spirit in his life as he leads by example.
7) Mercy – The gift of mercy is obvious in those who are compassionate toward others who are in distress, showing sympathy and sensitivity coupled with a desire and the resources to lessen their suffering.
8) Wisdom – The word of wisdom represents one who can understand and speak forth biblical truth in such a way as to skillfully apply it to life situations with discernment.
9) Knowledge – knowledge allows us to see the circumstances of our life the way that God sees them. Through this gift we can determine God's purpose for our lives and live accordingly.
10) Helps –Those who aid and assist others in the church with compassion and grace. To help those in spiritual need with understanding and compassion. and to speak scriptural truth.
11) Faith – Bestowed on all who come to Christ, (Galatians 5:22-23). The gift of faith is a strong and unshakeable confidence in God, His Word, His promises, and the power of prayer to effect miracles.
12) Healing – Although, even today, God miraculously heals. The medical feild is also a spiritual gift to man through which God also works, using his Healing power working through mans gifted abilities.
13) Miraculous powers – Events that could only be attributed to the power of God, and through which God still works today, Prayer is the gift, Miraculous effects are the result
14) Discernment of spirits – Satan, purveying deceptive and erroneous doctrine.is still loose in our world, but the gift of discerning spirits is given to the Church to protect it from Satan's wiles
15) Speaking in tongues – The gift of tongues, given to the early Church to enable the gospel to be spread throughout the world, is still practiced by some in the Church today. And from 1 Corinthians. 14:27-28 - If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.
16) Interpretation of tongues – Interpretation of tongues is the only one of the nine gifts of the Spirit that is dependent upon another gift. It will not happen unless the gift of tongues has been spoken.
17) Governance- The Gift of Governance in this instance refers broadly to the mechanisms, processes and relations by which the Church, (God’s people) are ruled over and taught.
18) Evangelism- The gift of evangelism is worldwide and is one of the best gifts God has given mankind. We are to make that our Goal as it is what Jesus has issued as our charge.
!9) Hospitality- Practiced worldwide and most Christians the world over have this gift in some form or another. However the Church ( God’s People) are to be the mother of hospitality
20) Missionary – This also is a gift Most Christians will practice at sometime in their life either at home or abroad, and it is a gift that each can easily understand and put into practice.
No comments:
Post a Comment