Matthew 25:14-30 We call this the parable of the talents. Jesus is teaching about the kingdom of God. He compares it here to a master of an estate.  This man goes on a long journey and leaves his slaves in charge of his possessions.... he "entrusted his possessions to them..."  

I've never really thought about how courageous this is.. to surrender your possessions.. your wealth and property into the care of servants or slaves.  This seems like it would be very unusual.  It would be more reasonable to leave the care of your estate in the hands of a son or relative, or perhaps a paid manager .  But, this man trusts his slaves!  Just as our heavenly Father entrusts us.. His servants... with His kingdom here on earth.. that's pretty amazing... 

Jesus points out three particular servants in this parable.  He entrusts the three of them with a significant amount of "talents".. money. According to the Thayer Lexicon a talent of silver weighed about 100 pounds and a talent of gold would weigh about 200 pounds.  He distributed these funds "according to" the ability of each man... and then he left. 

The first slave received 5 talents.  "Immediately.. [he] went and traded with them, and gained five more talents."  The second man received 2 talents and traded with them to make 2 more talents.  These two servants and called "good and faithful" and given positions of authority in the master's house. 

It is the third slave that Jesus emphasizes in this parable.  This man only received 1 talent.  This is still a significant responsibility.. 100 pounds of silver!  But, instead of using the money to further the wealth of the master he is afraid.. so he buries it in the ground until the master returns.  Then he digs it up and brings it back to the master.  He has not taken advantage of the trust that the master has put in him. He knew that the master could "reap where he did not sow and gather where he had not scattered any seed."  He knew that the master had trusted him with this but he did not work to serve the master with it.  The master calls him "wicked and lazy". He could have at least put the talent to work earning interest if nothing else... but he did nothing at all. And.. he ends up with nothing.. for the master takes the talent and gives it the the first slave who had proven his worth.  The third slave is "cast out.. into the outer darkness; in that place there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."  A place of anguish and despair. 

Jesus is speaking these parables about the Kingdom to His disciples.  He was leaving the kingdom in their hands.. entrusting them with all that is His.  He would give each of them responsibilities according to their abilities.  They were called to be "good and faithful" servants of what He gave them. What did He give them?   The good news.. the gospel.. the Truth.. the kingdom,  What did they do with it?  They preached the gospel wherever they went.. and history tells us that most of them traveled far and wide to reach their world with the good news of Jesus!  Only one.. Judas.. would fail to serve Him. 

Which makes me take a look at my own responsibility to share the good news of Jesus.  Am I being faithful with what my Master has given to me..according to my own abilities?  Oh how I want to! 

Oh Father in heaven,  I pray that I might serve You faithfully.. to accomplish all that You desire for me.  I know that I need Your Spirit every moment of every day to show me and help me to be faithful and good. May Your will be done and Your name glorified in my life today..  Bless Your church, Lord Jesus, with good and faithful servants who will take the gifts You give them and bring forth a great harvest of souls into Your Kingdom..  we ask this in Your mighty name. Amen.