Read Matthew 25:1-46

How do you invest your time? How about your money and your abilities? In the amazing book “So the Next Generation Will Know” by Sean McDowell, the author says many young people in 2021 are impatient, fluid (blurring of lines between fact and fiction in areas of sex, gender and family), think that there is no such thing as a normal family, and are overwhelmed, lonely and religiously unaffiliated. Many are seeking relationships with older people who can be a Christian role-model. Can you be a Christian role-model to at least one young person?

In the “Parable of the Talents,” Jesus uses a story to encourage His followers to be ready for His return at all times. “Be on the alert,” He said, “for you do not know which day your Lord is coming” (24:42).

In 2021, a “talent” is a spiritual gift or a natural ability. In A.D. 50 – the approximate time that Matthew was written – the word meant a large amount of money.

So, Jesus describes a man who goes on a journey, entrusting his servants with his wealth in his absence. To one servant, the master gives five talents, to a second servant he gives two talents, and to a third servant he gives one talent.

The parable goes on to say that two of the servants, the one given five talents and the one given two, were good stewards of their master’s money, investing it in such a way that, when the master returned, they handed back double what he had originally given them.

But the third servant dug a hole in the ground and fearfully hid his master’s money.

When the master eventually did return, the servants who were faithful were praised and entrusted with more of the master’s wealth. “Well done, good and faithful servant,” the master said to each of them. “You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things.” (25:21). The servant who was fearful and negligent, however, was swiftly reprimanded by his master, who called him “wicked, lazy, and worthless.” His talent was taken and given to the one with ten talents, and he himself was thrown out of his master’s presence (25:30).

The master in this parable represents Jesus. The servants are Christ-followers. Similar to the parable, Jesus has also given responsibility to His followers, and similar to the parable, He, the Master, has promised to one day return.

Jesus has entrusted his servants to:

• Spread the gospel (28:16-20),
• Forgive (6:14-15),
• Love others (5:43),
• Be a role-model to the world (14:13-16),
• Feed the hungry and thirsty (25:25).
• Care for the poor, the prisoner, and the sick (25:36),
• Be hospitable (25:35).

Are we good stewards of what belongs to God? Or do we bury our time, talent, and opportunities? It’s up to us to decide.

Consider investing your talent in someone.

The Master is planning His return.

Tom Weckesser