Matthew 25.14-30
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.’ 25.21
Jesus teaches another parable about the end of the age. The emphasis of the story is on the long journey of a landowner. Before he leaves, he entrusts his property to his servants, giving three different men three different “talents” (a monetary unit). Then, the man leaves and is gone for a “long time”. When the owner is away, each servant uses what has been entrusted to him differently. Two of the servants actively reproduce what they were given while one passively saves it. Upon his return, the owner rewards faithfulness and punishes unfaithfulness. The story foreshadows the time between Jesus ascension and his 2nd coming. Essentially, Jesus intends for his servants not only to be watchful for his return, but also industrious while they wait. Faithfulness is less about working for His approval and more about stewarding for His glory.
- What part of the text or sermon had the greatest impact on you? Where were you most encouraged, intrigued, or challenged?
- Why were the first two workers rewarded? What was their reward? According to verses 24-30, what was the 3rd worker guilty of? What was his punishment?
- What do you think it means when the owner is described as a “hard man”? How does this make you feel about God?
- Read 1 Corinthians 12. What talents, gifts, or experiences has God given you to steward? How well have you stewarded these? Why?
- When reading this parable, do you identify more with the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd worker? Why? How does the gospel empower you to rejoice and/or repent?