To understand the significance of this parable we have to ‘take ourselves back to the time’. Jesus “threw out stories alongside the people”. These ‘stories’ were parables. Jesus knew the things that were on the people’s minds. He would tell them an earthly story with a heavenly meaning they could understand. Borrowing money during the era when Jesus ministered on earth was a serious issue. In our world today, when we over extend ourselves, we do the socially accepted thing and file bankruptcy. One couldn’t do that in Biblical times. Not paying your loans back had serious consequences. Jesus knew the people understood this.
As with all parables, the ‘story line’ was much deeper. In this parable, the master gave out monies to his servants. Each servant did not receive the same amount of money. God does the same with us. God knows our strengths and weaknesses, therefore He knows our capabilities! The monies that the master handed out represents the gifts we are given. We are given abilities that CAN BE used to minister to others in building the Kingdom. As with this parable, our failure to use our abilities for the Lord represents our laziness. Ouch! That sorta hurt, eh? Can you sing? Can you teach? Can you pray? Can you be generous with your money? Can you be hospitable? Can you be encouraging? Are you using these capabilities for the Lord? If not, your talents are being wasted on the ‘world’ – there are no godly rewards for worldly accomplishments!
Some folks get wrapped around the axle on HOW MUCH they have. We should not focus on this. We need to focus on HOW WE USE what we are given! Not all people are wealthy so their ability to give large sums of money for ministry is limited. Not all people can sing so they are not going to be a featured vocalist. Not all people are extroverts so their ability to host events is limited. There is something that each of us can do for the Kingdom. It is our responsibility to learn our gift and to use it.
There was a time in my life I thought I was being called to the ministry full time. After much prayer and counseling by godly men, I came to realize that was not what God was telling me. He was simply telling me to “serve Him” with whatever gifts I was given. God was telling me to do my daily work, without changing professions, and serve Him out of my love for Him. Pretty simple stuff. But, we have to seek His Will. Have you?
When we love the Lord, we obey. When we make excuses for not doing what the Lord has called us to do, we will miss out not only on the satisfaction of a job well done on earth, but we’ll also miss out on some rewards in Heaven! There are two attitudes towards the return of Jesus Christ – in the parable, the ‘master’. One attitude is to prepare for His return by using one’s talents and time to serve. God rewards faithfulness. The second attitude is carried by people whose heart is not ‘into’ working for the Kingdom. Scriptures tell us that those who bear no ‘fruit’ will not be treated the same as those who do. Do we understand exactly what that means? I don’t entirely but even with my simple mind, I know what God expects of me. I want rewards when I meet my God. The time we spend on earth serving Him will earn great interest!
I lead praise and worship at an inner city church on Wednesday nights and it’s an awesome experience. But, on the Lord’s Day, I play with a full orchestra at my home church. At times, when we are doing a concert, playing for a production, or during our regular Sunday service, I look at the instrumentalist and vocalist around me. It is humbling to understand that these people, who have spent literally thousands of hours of practice over the years to ‘refine’ the God-given musical talents they have, are using those talents for the Lord. They aren’t trying to ‘make it’ on American Idol. They aren’t trying to ‘make it’ as a star in a rock band. They aren’t playing in a club on Saturday nights to gain the adoration (and free drinks) from the worldly crowd. They are using their talents for the Lord! Awesome that God allows us to serve Him while having a blast doing it! Use your talents! Don’t bury them. Those around you will benefit from your service. God is faithful to reward you when you meet Him face to face! Leave nothing – do not hoard your talents! Whatever your talent, give it all you got to glorify the Lord and leave nothing on the table. Clean it and prepare for His return!
Papa Joe Mac's Commentary:
To understand the significance of this parable we have to ‘take ourselves back to the time’. Jesus “threw out stories alongside the people”. These ‘stories’ were parables. Jesus knew the things that were on the people’s minds. He would tell them an earthly story with a heavenly meaning they could understand. Borrowing money during the era when Jesus ministered on earth was a serious issue. In our world today, when we over extend ourselves, we do the socially accepted thing and file bankruptcy. One couldn’t do that in Biblical times. Not paying your loans back had serious consequences. Jesus knew the people understood this.
As with all parables, the ‘story line’ was much deeper. In this parable, the master gave out monies to his servants. Each servant did not receive the same amount of money. God does the same with us. God knows our strengths and weaknesses, therefore He knows our capabilities! The monies that the master handed out represents the gifts we are given. We are given abilities that CAN BE used to minister to others in building the Kingdom. As with this parable, our failure to use our abilities for the Lord represents our laziness. Ouch! That sorta hurt, eh? Can you sing? Can you teach? Can you pray? Can you be generous with your money? Can you be hospitable? Can you be encouraging? Are you using these capabilities for the Lord? If not, your talents are being wasted on the ‘world’ – there are no godly rewards for worldly accomplishments!
Some folks get wrapped around the axle on HOW MUCH they have. We should not focus on this. We need to focus on HOW WE USE what we are given! Not all people are wealthy so their ability to give large sums of money for ministry is limited. Not all people can sing so they are not going to be a featured vocalist. Not all people are extroverts so their ability to host events is limited. There is something that each of us can do for the Kingdom. It is our responsibility to learn our gift and to use it.
There was a time in my life I thought I was being called to the ministry full time. After much prayer and counseling by godly men, I came to realize that was not what God was telling me. He was simply telling me to “serve Him” with whatever gifts I was given. God was telling me to do my daily work, without changing professions, and serve Him out of my love for Him. Pretty simple stuff. But, we have to seek His Will. Have you?
When we love the Lord, we obey. When we make excuses for not doing what the Lord has called us to do, we will miss out not only on the satisfaction of a job well done on earth, but we’ll also miss out on some rewards in Heaven! There are two attitudes towards the return of Jesus Christ – in the parable, the ‘master’. One attitude is to prepare for His return by using one’s talents and time to serve. God rewards faithfulness. The second attitude is carried by people whose heart is not ‘into’ working for the Kingdom. Scriptures tell us that those who bear no ‘fruit’ will not be treated the same as those who do. Do we understand exactly what that means? I don’t entirely but even with my simple mind, I know what God expects of me. I want rewards when I meet my God. The time we spend on earth serving Him will earn great interest!
I lead praise and worship at an inner city church on Wednesday nights and it’s an awesome experience. But, on the Lord’s Day, I play with a full orchestra at my home church. At times, when we are doing a concert, playing for a production, or during our regular Sunday service, I look at the instrumentalist and vocalist around me. It is humbling to understand that these people, who have spent literally thousands of hours of practice over the years to ‘refine’ the God-given musical talents they have, are using those talents for the Lord. They aren’t trying to ‘make it’ on American Idol. They aren’t trying to ‘make it’ as a star in a rock band. They aren’t playing in a club on Saturday nights to gain the adoration (and free drinks) from the worldly crowd. They are using their talents for the Lord! Awesome that God allows us to serve Him while having a blast doing it! Use your talents! Don’t bury them. Those around you will benefit from your service. God is faithful to reward you when you meet Him face to face! Leave nothing – do not hoard your talents! Whatever your talent, give it all you got to glorify the Lord and leave nothing on the table. Clean it and prepare for His return!