Lesson 225 - Senior
Memory Verse
"Unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath" (Matthew 25:29).
Cross References
I The Talents and the Recipients
1. The talents were given to already proved servants, according to their abilities, [MAT:25:14-15]; [LUK:19:12-13]; [ROM:12:6-8]; [1CO:12:1-31]; [EPH:4:11-12].
2. The faithful servants doubled their talents by labour and application, [MAT:25:16-17]; [LUK:19:16], [LUK:19:18]; [1CO:12:31]; [1CO:14:1]; [1CO:15:10]; [2TM:2:15].
3. The unfaithful servant did nothing to show either gratitude or trustworthiness, [MAT:25:18]; [LUK:12:47]; [LUK:19:20-21]; [JAM:2:14]; [JAM:4:17].
II The Rewards and Judgements at the Lord's Return
1. The Lord's return marks the beginning of the judgements and commendations, [MAT:25:19], [MAT:25:31-46]; [LUK:12:37]; [LUK:19:15]; [REV:3:11]; [REV:16:15].
2. Those who are faithful will receive the reward of added places of service and responsibility, [MAT:25:20-23]; [LUK:19:16-19]; [LUK:22:28-30]; [REV:5:10]; [REV19:11-16]; [REV:20:1-6]; [1CO:6:2]; [JUD:1:14-15].
3. Those who are unfaithful will be deprived of every blessing and joy of service and then cast out eternally, [MAT:25:24-30]; [LUK:19:20-24]; [ROM:11:29]; [2TS:1:6-10].
Notes
Personal Instructions
Jesus spoke many parables concerning the Kingdom of Heaven. In this one we are now considering He represents Himself as a man travelling into a far country who called his servants together and placed all his goods at their disposal, that they might look after his interests while He was away. We can easily imagine that the man had a heart to heart talk with his servants and explained to them the nature of the work that was to be accomplished in his absence. They were already his servants. They knew him, his requirements, and his discipline. He knew them also. He knew their abilities and their trustworthiness. He was not asking them to do something that was impossible, but only that they might take care of his interests and do his service.
As applied to us and to our position as labourers in the vineyard of the Kingdom, we understand that the Word is to be preached with power, the sick are to be prayed for that they may be healed, and the lost are to be brought back into the fold. The saints must be gathered together in meetings and their pure minds stirred up by way of remembrance of the commands and promises of God. Those talented in music must learn to play skilfully on instruments; and there must be singing men and women to furnish vocal music for the house of God. There must be those who can prevail in prayer for a lost and dying world; and there must also be those who will go out into the highways and byways to compel sinners to come in, not forgetting the exhortation, given to us by our Lord, to go "into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15).
There is much work to be done, but God has given us many precious promises for our encouragement and instruction. He has said that He will not leave us comfortless, He will give us power to work effectually in His vineyard, He will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory, and He has promised that we are to be joint heirs with Him, and that we shall reign with Him in His Kingdom.
No doubt, after that heart to heart talk between the master and his servants, the soul of the majority of the servants was stirred, and they vowed, within themselves, to use every talent given them to the best of their ability. We can see that some did that very thing, but that others promised they would do so while they were seeking the favour of their master and then settled down and failed to fulfil their promise. Some: were too indolent and lazy to strive at all.
Distribution of Talents
Our Lord distributes the talents, or responsibilities, according to our individual ability. He can see our qualifications along every line. While the proportion of gifts is different in each, the same fidelity is required of all, and is equally rewarded. Five talents would be too much for some, and one talent would be too little for others. He who has little should not envy him who has much, for it is God who has made the distribution and He has made it with infinite wisdom. He never asks us to do more than is possible. He knows us and sees our abilities. The question that must concern us is whether or not we are using the talents He has given to us, or if we have them wrapped up and put away.
After the plans were an completed and the talents given out, the lord left for a faraway country. The servants were left to their own responsibility. It was in their power to use the talents given them, or to sit idly by and do nothing. Their ultimate reward or condemnation depended on the way they used the talents they had been given. Our eternal reward or condemnation likewise depends upon the way we employ our talents.
Improvement of Talents
In the parable Jesus told, the one who had received five talents and the one who had received two talents went immediately to work. They were occupied with their lord's work. They were busy striving to gain more talents. They carried on their work with perseverance. They did not relax their efforts even though he tarried long. Because of this, their labours were crowned with success. They gained many more talents. Others idled away all their time until their lord returned.
In the Christian life and warfare there are some who start well and who continue for a time as faithful servants, but who fail to persevere to the very end. Paul the Apostle wrote to some of these and said, "Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?" (Galatians 5:7).
The Slothful Servant
The servant who had received one talent went and dug in the earth and hid his lord's money instead of developing it for his master. Some say he was lazy. But did it not require effort to dig in the earth and hide the money? If he had put forth that much effort to improve his talent, would it not have gained a little for his master? Jesus has told us that "every branch . . . that beareth not fruit he taketh away" (John 15:2).
The Lord's Return
Jesus said that the lord returned and gathered his servants to reckon with them. Those who had been faithful came joyfully to greet him. But it is not hard to imagine the guilty attitude of the unfaithful servant.
Faithfulness and devotion to the cause of Christ put confidence in the soul. Those who possess these attributes have no fear in their hearts when they are called to meet their Master. What a happy moment it will be for us when we can stand with our talents and say, "Here, Lord, is what you gave me; and here also is what I have been able, by Your grace, to gain for You." Visualize the scene of the redeemed souls standing with outstretched arms, presenting their talents to their Lord and Saviour. See the smile on the Lord's face as He gives that commendation, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." Will that not repay us for all the work, the struggles, and the trials and privations we have been through?
Few realize that spiritual responsibility is a tremendous thing and is not to be taken lightly. Notice these Scripture passages: "Whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple! verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward"; and, also, "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much." How wonderfully the Lord will climax the commendation for us when He says, "Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord " Harvest past! Labour ended! Joy for evermore! What a reward!
The One Talent
The one talent man did not do as his fellow servants. He decided to take no chances with the talent allotted him. There was no chance to be taken, actually. He knew his master. He had never failed to receive that which was his due. He held a position of trust with his master. But he attempted no endeavours, in this instance, that might have given him a double portion to give back to his lord. Consequently, when the time came for the inevitable reckoning, he had nothing to give to his master. And then, to cover up the indolence and rebellion that were in his heart, he even accused his lord of being a hard and severe master. This unwilling and disobedient servant told the reason correctly and actually when he said, "I was afraid."
With sin in the heart there is fear; there can be no confidence toward God. Adam was afraid after he had sinned and when God called him. Twenty two thousand left Gideon's band because of fear. It is sin that makes people afraid.
The fearful and unbelieving shall have their part in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone, because of their sin and unbelief which brought their fear. What is it today that causes men's hearts to fall them, in looking after the things that are coming on the earth? It is fear; and the sin in their hearts has brought the fear.
The Reward of the Wicked
"Thou wicked and slothful servants, were the words of condemnation that fell on the man who had hidden his talent. "Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him, which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath." This slothful servant is like those who love this present world more than eternal life. When these who have neglected their present opportunities appear before their Lord they will be stripped of every opportunity to do service through eternity for Him and will stand there in disgrace.
But that was not all the condemnation the slothful servant received. He heard, also, the words: "Cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." What a bitter ending awaits the wicked, fearful, and slothful soul! Throughout eternity he will be thinking back on "what might have been." When once in the regions of the lost there is no more atonement for sin. When the dead line has been crossed it is forever settled.
Tears of repentance and a sincere seeking for God's pardon for sin now will open Heaven's door and save a soul from weeping and wailing throughout a lost eternity. Let us ask ourselves the question, "Are all our talents being used in the Master's service?"
Questions
1. What was the relationship between those who received the talents and the one who gave them, prior to the distribution of the talents?
2. What do the talents represent in our Christian experience?
3. Why were some given more than others?
4. What governs the allotment of talents given to each one of us?
5. What was the reward of the faithful?
6. Repeat the words of commendation given to those who had developed their talents.
7. Repeat the words of condemnation to the one who hid his talent.
8. What became of the unprofitable servant?
9. Enumerate the great Scriptural truths and doctrines that are taught in this beautiful parable.