“For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 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.’ And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ 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.’ He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Matthew‬ ‭25:14-30‬ ‭ESV‬‬

When we read this passage we look at the word talents we ably it as gifting like singing, dancing, acting, or play a sport. The word talent in this verse is a financial measurement equaling twenty years’ wages for a laborer. we can see that talent in this passage is referring to our resources not only financial but also physical resources.

What resources has God given you have you buried them or are you using them. All three servants had the same hard master as the last one describe, but the servants that had five and the one with two decided to take a risk and handle the resources like their master. Where the last servant with one feared the master’s wrath more than taking a risk. Even if he would have only made a percentage or two on the money he would have been counted as a faithful servant and would have also entered into the master’s joy.

The two servants with five and two decided to take a risk with no thought of reward. They saw how shrewd their master was, that they thought if they gain a little the master would good with them. If they lost it all they may have to deal with the consequences but the master would still accept them. The master must have taught and instructed all three servants in his business practices and principles. The master entrusted them with more resources than any other servants this is why he was so disappointed with the last servant.

I can relate to the last servant. In the past, I have not used some of the resources that God gave me, the talents that were entrusted to me, mostly out of fear. I used fear like a shovel to dig holes and bury my ideas and thoughts. It was easier to bury the ideas and dreams than deal with my fears. I had fears of my ideas being highjacked and take in areas I was not wanting or willing to go. I had people around me that I did not know if I could trust to support me, even if it failed. I was afraid that my ideas and dreams would fail or not being successful, and I would be rejected by others and Jesus.

We are all going to give an account of who we used our talents and why we buried some of them. Some leaders in today’s churches are like the person the received one talent. They keep their people confined (buried) to the pews never releasing the to increase or multiple. These leaders have an ungodly belief that they only need to maintain the member God gave them and/or increase their membership. Jesus instructed and equipped and then gave every disciple (church member) the business plan before He left.

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:18-20 ESV (bolding added)

If a God-given resource is held back for God’s business plan then the one that buried those talents will be held accountable.

But I have realized as I am writing this that it is not too late, the master has not come back for an account yet. I can begin this year 2021 to pursue my ideas and dreams. To put my talents to use for the kingdom, even if I fail and lose it all I know that I am accepted and loved by the Master (Jesus).

Application

• Began to list all the resources (talents) God and entrusted to you.
• Pray for how God wants you to implement these resources
• Do not discount a God-given idea or dreams (don’t bury them)