In the Service of the King
Matthew 25:14-30
September 6, 2009
Morning Service
Introduction
Reaching the end of a job interview, the Human Resources rep asked a young accountant who was fresh out of school, "What starting salary were you thinking about?" The Accountant said, "In the neighborhood of $100,000 a year, depending on the benefits package." The interviewer said, "Well, what would you say to a package of five weeks vacation, full medical and dental, Company Retirement Fund to 50% of salary, Executive Share Option Scheme, Profit-Related Pay and a company car leased every twoyears - say, a 5-series BMW?" The Accountant sat up straight and said, "Wow! Are you kidding?" The interviewer replied, "Yes, but you started it."
Someone has written that there are four kinds of bones in the world. The WISH BONES who spend their time wishing someone else would do the work; The JAW BONES who do all the talking, but very little else; The KNUCKLE BONES who knock everything that anyone else is trying to do; The BACK BONES who shoulder the load and do the work.
14 "Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. 15 To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. 17 So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. 18 But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. 19 "After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. `Master,' he said, `you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.' 21 "His master replied, `Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' 22 "The man with the two talents also came. `Master,' he said, `you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.' 23 "His master replied, `Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' 24 "Then the man who had received the one talent came. `Master,' he said, `I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.' 26 "His master replied, `You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28 " `Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. 29 For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
The requirement of the master (14-15)
The master leaves on a trip and calls for his servants. The master entrusts each servant with a specific responsibility. Each servant is given a specific amount of talents. A talent is not an amount of money but a measure of weight. Various values were given to different kinds of talents. A talent of gold would be worth more than a talent of silver. The specific substance is not given but there is an understanding of great value on the part of the master.
The master we serve is Jesus and the work is not for us but for His kingdom. In fact, the work has little to actually do with us other than we have the responsibility to serve and do the work of the master. Our work is both a sacred and holy task. We have the honor of serving the living God of the universe. Jesus loves the world through His people and by serving Christ and joining in His work, we share His love with others. Serving is a choice we can either serve Jesus or we can serve ourselves.
We have different tasks and responsibilities. Sunday School teachers prepared the lessons. Sharon Wilson prepared the bulletin. Pam prepared the music. Jeremy runs the sound system. Trustees mowed the grass. I prepared the message this morning. We have different tasks and different responsibilities but all of those tasks matter. Each person has a specific role to play and a function to perform.
The results of labor (16-18)
The first servant is given five talents and invests them wisely. The end result is the earning of five more talents. The second servant takes the two talents and also invests them wisely and earns an additional two talents. Let’s be clear, this work and success did not happen overnight. Success takes time and effort. Some people believe that all we need to do is pray and God will send the increase. We do need to pray but we also need to work. Expecting God to do His part without us doing ours is wrong. It took long term and faithful effort to double the talents.
Notice the qualities of the first two servants
Faithful: The servants were faithful with those things they were entrusted with
Are you faithful with everything that God entrusts to you?
God owns everything in all of the universe. This means you, your life, your family, your home, car, bank account and anything else you might be able to think of belongs to God. How are you handling what God has trusted to your care.
This comes down to three things: time, treasure and talents. How are you investing God’s items for His kingdom? When it comes down to it, God expects a return on His trust in your life.
Focused: The servants were intentional on putting those talents to work for the benefit of the master.
The purpose of the servants was to live and work for the benefit of the master. There was no self interest here but instead a complete focus on what was best for their master. Should we not take the same attitude with God?
Fruitful: The servants were fruitful with what they had been given and made significant gains through their work for the master. Fruitfulness comes because we are directly connected with Christ. The issue is not how much we do but how much we allow Christ to do in us and through us. The power is not in us but in Christ who dwells within us. We are nothing without Christ and can accomplish nothing without Christ.
The third servant takes a different attitude toward the work and takes a different approach. The third servant does nothing with the talents that he received.
Selfish: The third servant was more focused on himself than on the well being of the master. He was focused on what was best and easiest for himself rather than what was best for the master. This servant was lazy and did nothing with what the master had given to him.
Sinful: The third servant was sinful in doing nothing for the master. How often are we sinful in our laziness for Christ. How often do we do nothing when we are prompted to act? There are sins of omission and they are just as great as sins of commission.
Squandering: The third servant wasted the opportunity that the master had given to him. How often do we waste time or opportunity that Jesus gives us? There are times when we can do more and serve more than we already are.
The Return of the Master
After a long time the master returns to settle the accounts with the servants
Recognition of the master
Notice what the master says to the first two servants. Well done my good and faithful servant. It may not seem like much but well done was high praise from a master to servants. The understanding is that this was the highest form of praise that a servant could receive. These servants had done well for their master and were rewarded accordingly. Servants saw recognition as an important part of their work.
When was the last time you did something just because it would make Jesus smile? Our goal is not to do these awesome and amazing things that no one else can. Our goal is to do best we can with what Christ has given to us and become the best possible servant we can become. Our goal is to please the master. Before we can hear Jesus say well done we must first well do.
Reward from the master
The master offers each of the first two servants a promotion for their efforts. These servants had been faithful with the things their master had entrusted to them and the result was going to be added responsibility.
Could churches remain where they are because they are not faithful with what God gives to them? If churches are not being good stewards of their finances, why should God give them any more? If churches, are not caring for their people, why should God send them any more? Additional responsibility comes from faithful service to the master.
Reception of the master
The master gives each of the servants a special reception for each of the servants. It is an invitation into the presence and joy of the master. The first is an invitation to come into the presence of the master. The second aspect is the invitation to share in the master’s happiness. In other words, the master is celebrating over the success of the servants. Could Jesus celebrate over the spiritual success of your life?
The reasons for not serving
24 "Then the man who had received the one talent came. `Master,’ he said, `I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’
The servant proves the fact that he really does not know the master or the masters business. The servant not only has a serious misconception on the character of the master but also has an unwarranted fear of the master. There are far too many Christians living in a similar manner.
The reasons for condemnation
26 "His master replied, `You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
The servant is condemned by the master, not for his lack of success but rather for his lack of effort. You may not always be successful in the work of Christ but you are expected to keep serving and keep trying. There is an old saying: Do your best and let God do the rest.
The consequences of not serving
28 " `Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. 29 For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
The master takes the talent from the servant who did not serve. The master is the one who entrusts the gifts to you, if you do not use them they may be taken away. The longer you fail to serve the more likely you will be lose the priviledge of the presence of the master
