Parables: Everyday Stories, Eternal Truths – Matt 25 – Parable of the Talents. Pastor Jim Erwin
November 28, 2021
Parables: Everyday Stories, Eternal Truths – Matt 25 – Parable of the Talents
If you could be any animal-what would you be? A lion-king of the jungle-no one messes with you? Or a dog-man’s best friend? Maybe you’d be a monkey swinging through the trees-or a cheetah sprinting across the ground-or an eagle soaring through the skies. If you’re a turtle you’re never away from home-or maybe you’d be a dolphin or a fish swimming in the deeps. But what about this animal-would anybody want to be a sloth? I was watching a BBC clip on YouTube narrated by David Attenborough and he said that a sloth spend most of its time half asleep hanging in the trees. That its an unenthusiastic creature that eats leaves all day with half-hearted chews-and only travels down from the trees for the bathroom. He said that a sloth’s diet of leaves is not very nutritious so its goal is not to eat more-but to do less! Who agrees with that goal in life-to do less wishing you could sleep in a tree all day? But across God’s vast creation the sloth teaches us a lot of life. Maybe you know people who have rather sloth-like tendencies! Maybe that’s you! But as we come to our last parable this morning we’re going to encounter someone whom Jesus describes as slothful. This is actually the last parable Jesus told before going to the Cross and giving up His life-so there’s a great sense of urgency to it. But there’s zero urgency for the sloth-like character we’re going to encounter.
So open up your Bibles to Matthew 25 and we’re picking up right where we left off last week. This is still the Olivet Discourse where Jesus is talking about the His return and the world’s end-and so this final parable is about investing ourselves in the kingdom and serving the Lord until that day. So Matt 25:14-15. Now it’s not hard to realize that Jesus is describing Himself as the man going on the journey. As we just said-He’s about to face the Cross, offer up His life, 3 days later be resurrected-and then 40 days after that ascend into heaven where He is now preparing a home for us. Look at what Jesus says in John 14:3. So last week’s parable was about waiting for His return as our Bridegroom-He’s coming for His bride-the Church-to take us to His eternal house He’s preparing. And in today’s parable we see that while He’s away preparing our home-He hasn’t left us empty handed-but instead entrusted to us part of his property to faithfully use and invest. Back to the parable-Matt 25:14-15. So instead of viewing ourselves as the bridesmaids awaiting our groom, we’re now the servants awaiting our master. Time to get busy and put His resources to use. And you might see it footnoted in your Bible that a talent was equivalent to about 20 years worth of wages. So that’s a big chunk of money. If you assume someone gets paid $50,000 a year then over 20 years we’re talking 1 million dollars. So the first guy gets 5 million, the second guy 2 million and the third guy 1 million. That’s a lot of responsibility-even for the third guy. It wasn’t like he just got one measly little coin-here’s a quarter! This represents a lifetime worth of wages-basically the sum total of a person’s life and how they use it. So the master leaves and they’re left to scratch their heads wondering what to do next. Spend it? Save it? Invest it? Guard it? Waste it? And the parable describes two approaches.
The first one is in the next verse-Matt 25:16. No hesitation there-and the key phrase is at once. The servant gets right to work investing what the master gave him-not a bit of procrastinating or sitting around. He diligently doubles what he received-putting the talents to good use. And the next servant takes the same approach-Matt 25:17. There’s no grumbling or complaining or sitting around with him-he’s just as industrious and takes the masters money and doubles it. If we’re comparing these 2 guys to animals-they’re like shrews! Apparently shrews are one of the busiest animals on the planet-constantly burrowing and digging tunnels and only resting periodically. But they’re always on the go-and that was these first two guys. And yet when we come to the third guy the digging part initially makes us think about a shrew-but we quickly realize how unshrew-like his behavior is-Matt 25:18. Totally opposite strategy. Instead of putting the money to work, he hides it. Instead of investing-he did some digging. As they say-nothing risked, nothing gained. And that’s this guy. His talent is just quietly sitting underground. So at this point in the parable you have to ask yourself what approach would you take? What approach are you taking? Investing what God’s given you? Or quietly burying what God’s given you? Are you at work while He’s away helping build the kingdom? Or sitting idle while He’s away not doing much for the kingdom? Important questions to ask-because much like last week’s parable we often think there’s all the time in the world. No need to rush-I’ll serve God later. But later has a funny way of never happening. That what seems like a distant event on the horizon-oh yeah, one day Jesus is returning-will actually become reality whether we’re ready or not. And the next verse describes that event-Matt 25:19. I’m back gentlemen-how did things go? What did you do with the talents I gave you? And the most industrious servant steps right up-Matt 25:20-21.
And none of us would think the 5 million dollars of his talents is little-but compared to all the master has it’s a drop in the bucket! The master sees his hard work and faithfulness and says-Now it’s time to give you some real responsibility and you’re going to love it! Enter into the joy of your master. And this is one of my favorite verses in the Bible because it gives us an amazing glimpse of eternity. So Pt1:Reward for Faithfulness: Eternal Joy. We don’t know what God has in store for us-we can only see the tip of the iceberg-but Jesus is saying that the joy we experience now, the things we do for Him now are little in comparison to what’s ahead! That heavenly work is exciting and fulfilling beyond our imagination. That’s where the real work begins! Our reward for faithfulness now is the privilege of faithfully serving Him then forever and ever! And that truth gets repeated-Matt 25:22-23. Heaven isn’t entering into the boredom of your master-sit here on this cloud and sing these old hymns forever. No-enter into the joy of your master! And notice how the reward is the same for both. The guy with the 2 talents didn’t need to earn 5 like the other guy. Instead both men simply needed to invest what they had been given. And it’s the same for you and me. God isn’t after the amount that we do for Him-He’s looking for our faithfulness in what we do for Him. And both of these guys-a couple of busy shrews-revealed that! And then the 3rd guy steps-not the shrew-but the sloth! Matt 25:24-25. I kept it safe-so I’m giving it back.
I remember when I first heard this parable as a kid in SS thinking this wasn’t such a bad idea. Investing money can be risky-you could lose it, maybe things won’t turn our well or the economy will tank-at least this guy kept his talent somewhere safe so he could return it. It’s been in the ground the whole time, Master, I didn’t do anything with it-but I sure didn’t lose it. And how does the Master respond to that? He realizes it’s only a smokescreen. He sees right through his motives and calls him the animal he is-Matt 25:26-27. He’s saying-The least you could have done was put my money into the bank-not buried in the backyard! You weren’t worried about losing it-you were being lazy. You’re a big sloth-not trying to do more-but doing less-in fact not even the minimum-you did nothing with what I’ve given you! Meaning nothing with your life in serving Me or following Me. In keeping with the animal theme you can picture the Cowardly Lion from the Wizard of Oz. That’s this guy-so afraid of stepping out and investing his talent that he’s paralyzed by fear and doesn’t do anything. He stayed safe instead of seizing the opportunity-and instead of being honored as a faithful servant, he’s revealed to be a cowardly lion, a lazy sloth! Ultimately someone who never knew the Master. And listen to the master’s response-Matt 25:28-30. And once again-that’s when the trapdoor opens and here comes the twist we didn’t expect. Laziness doesn’t just reveal someone who’s tired or doesn’t want to work. Spiritual laziness reveals that there’s no relationship with the Lord in the first place. This 3rd guy doesn’t enter into the joy of His master’s house-he ends up outside in the darkness. This 3rd guy doesn’t go to heaven, he goes to hell. And we’re left having to evaluate which servant we are-someone who does have a relationship with the master and faithfully uses what He’s given us-or someone who doesn’t know the master and thereby buries and wastes what He’s given us.
Now the question comes up-does it mean I’ll go to heaven if I’ve done enough good deeds? If I invest my 5 talents and make 5 more? And the answer to that is no. All across the pages of the Bible it makes it clear that you’re not saved by your works, not saved by investing your talents and doing enough, but only saved by the work Jesus did for you on the Cross. And we see this in Eph 2:8-9. And notice how the first 2 guys weren’t boasting about the talents they earned-that’s just what they did by knowing the master, by having a relationship with Him. Good works are the result of our faith not the requirement for it-and the next verse goes on to describe that-Eph 2:10. That’s the purpose of your life. Too many people think that salvation is about getting your entry ticket to heaven-making sure you’ve said the right words or prayed the right prayer-and going off to live however you want, basically leaving God on the back burner and your talents buried in the ground. But if you’re saved and surrendered to Jesus, then He can’t be on the back burner because you are His workmanship. He’s the artist, you’re the canvas, He’s the author, you’re the character. Read this verse and change the pronouns-Eph 2:10. Do you believe that about yourself? Created in Christ Jesus for the extraordinary things God wants you to do-for the ways He wants you to invest your talens? And when did He prepare those things? Beforehand! Before you were born, before your parents were born, before the world was made or anything existed-but in the wise, unsearchable counsel of God’s sovereignty-He planned good works for you-ways that you would serve and glorify Him and build His kingdom. That’s exactly what the first 2 guys did-they walked in those good works-they invested their talents and lived them out-and that’s exactly what the 3rd guy didn’t do. He buried his talents and wasted his life. God didn’t create you so that you would just get by, or be half-asleep like a spiritual sloth. This verse-and our parable this morning-are telling you loud and clearly that God created you for a purpose. That His eternal plans that He’s prepared for you beforehand-would be lived out in the present right now in your life. That He’s given you talents-could be 5, 2 or 1-the number doesn’t matter-it’s the faithfulness is using them that matters. And anything less is a wasted opportunity.
So Pt2:Futility of Laziness: A Wasted Life. There’s a statement that says-God given talent you don’t use is God-given talent that you’ve abused. It’s not just that you’ve buried it-you let it die and go to waste. It’s choosing to disobey Him and not do what He’s designed you for. It’s as if you’re telling God you know better than He does. Lord, you may have given me these talents or put these opportunities before me-but I don’t think that’s for me-no thanks. All our excuses of inactivity and faithlessness fail before God. If there was ever a place in our Bibles to read where God accepts our excuses it would be this parable. Lord, I was afraid. I was nervous-I didn’t want to put myself at risk or do anything too scary. You know how I like being in control-the thought of something unknown or uncertain is too much for me-I’m a planner-so let me just play it safe. The last thing I want to do is fail. Have you said things like that to God? I’m sure we all have-and yet He doesn’t accept those excuses-He never has. Yes-that’s right-too scared, too unknown-let me cross those off the list for you. I was going to have you do those things-but here’s some easier stuff that might be better. No-the Lord never says that! So App1: God never accepts our excuses-but He always reminds us of His presence. God doesn’t validate our excuses or let them change His mind-instead He tells us over and over that He’ll be with in those very things He calls us to do. Remember Joshua-he was the next guy up after Moses-talk about an opportunity! I want you to step into the role of leading my people into the Promised Land. Take a look at it-Joshua 1:1-2. What if Joshua said no? What if Joshua made excuses and turned it down? Listen Lord-send in the people-but I’m going to sit this one out. Hangout on the sidelines. Wait until things settle down and the Promised Land isn’t so scary. No way. Listen to what God said-Joshua 1:5b, 9. God didn’t change his plans for Joshua-He promised him He would be with him wherever he went. What better encouragement exists than that? The God of the universe with you no matter where He calls us to go. Back to App1. And that means our excuses of fear are simply that-excuses. Or as the master said in the parable-it’s slothfulness. When God promises to be with us wherever we go-there’s no room for fear or laziness. He calls us to faithfulness and obedience.
But let’s not miss the obvious-being the 3rd servant from the parable is so much easier than the first two, isn’t it? That guy went out one afternoon, dug a hole, buried the money-and that was it. He was done-daylight to spare! There was no risk involved, minimal effort or energy-and zero faith or courage. But for the first 2 servants investing their talents was totally different. They spent hours and days-researching the best ways to invest, then carrying out the plan, managing their companies, overseeing the profits. This became their sole focus until the master returned. Was it hard? Yes! Did it take effort? Absolutely! Were they tempted to quit and join the 3rd servant who was relaxing by the pool? Probably so! But was their service for the master worth it in the end? Completely! The energy and effort of investing their talents was turned into joy. And I believe the difference is found in the relationship-the first two guys persevered and faithfully served because of their love for the master-and that’s where their destiny took them-enter into the joy of your master. Their reward was more joy magnified a thousandfold into eternity! But the 3rd guy had no love-he had no relationship with the master. Serving for him wasn’t a delight-it was just drudgery. So App2: God doesn’t call us to do easy things-but He does call us to do exciting things when we trust Him. Whatever God is calling you to do isn’t going to be easy-you can bank on it-but it will be exciting when you trust Him and follow Him and His will for you life. That was the difference between the servants and the sloth. The sloth just wants the easy things. He wants to live life half-asleep in the tree, always wanting to do less. But Jesus came to wake us up, to open our eyes and transform our hearts to the do the things He’s prepared for us beforehand. Look at what He says about this in John 15:16. We have a master, we have a Savior who has forgiven us, loved us and chosen us to serve Him, invest our talents and bear fruit. It might not be easy-but you can guarantee it will be exciting!
And that’s what brings me to the last part of the message this morning. Because when I talk about God’s call, following Him and investing our talents-I’m speaking to myself. And when I say it’s not easy-I’m the first to raise my hand and say it isn’t easy. But there’s nothing more exciting than what this verse says-being appointed and chosen by Jesus to serve Him-and go where He calls us to go.
And so in light of that truth, He is calling Monica and I to step out in faith and go. The Lord made us aware of an opportunity over a year ago. And Monica and I prayed about it, discussed it-waited on the Lord and sought His timing-and in the last 6 months we’ve had conversations and interactions about it-confirming His call and will for us as a family. And that is to transition from here to an EFCA church in Rapid City, SD. The Lord is calling us to head west. It is not an easy decision to make, our hearts are heavy. We love all of you, and New York, Long Island. We are so thankful and have been deeply blessed and impacted by all of you! So you’re all coming with us! Actually if you want to see Mt Rushmore come and visit us! We will be here through the end of the year-and then we’ll move and begin the new school semester in January out there. We’ve been meeting about this as an elder board-the Lord has blessed us with a great group of godly leaders-and we’ll be talking more about the future and way ahead in the weeks to come. But know the Lord is in control-following Him isn’t easy-but it’s always exciting! He has exciting things in store for DHEFC-the beginning of a new chapter–Josh 1:9.
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