The Importance of Spiritual Gifts
Matthew 25:14-30
Ministry Fair Devotional
August 15, 2004
Gift Illustration
Christ has given you a great gift (14-15)
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.
The reality is that Christ has given you the greatest gift you could ever hope to receive, redemption through His shed blood on the cross. By His blood He paid your debt for sin and He has set you free from the power of sin and death. This is far more than you could ever hope for in your life.
Even more incredible is the fact that Jesus has given you even more through the power of the Holy Spirit. I believe that the moment that you came to Christ, He not only saved you with His blood, He gave you a spiritual gift. These gifts are literally an additional spiritual investment in your life.
Basic Facts
Each servant was given a specific set of talents.
A talent was a measure of weight not a measure of money. A talent differed in value depending on the material it was made of. Think about what Christ has given to you like the giving of the talents to the servants.
Each servant was entrusted with something.
As every Christian has been given a gift, each of these servants were been given a talent. Jesus has made an additional investment in your life and that investment is a trust. Are you keeping your end of the bargain?
Each servant was given a share of the master’s business.
Jesus wants you to take part in the business of the Kingdom and has entrusted you with a share of that work. What are you doing with what He has given to you?
Christ wants you to put your gift to use (16-23)
There is a responsibility
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.
Jesus has invested in your life and wants to see a return on His investment.
Take just a moment to notice some of the qualities of the first two servants
1. Faithful: The servants were faithful with the things that they were entrusted with
2. Focused: The servants were intentional on putting the talents to work for the benefit of the master
3. Fruitful: The servants were fruitful with what they had been given and made significant gains for the work of the master
There is an irresponsibility
18 But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
The third servant takes a different attitude and a different approach to what he had been given and the results were poor
1. Selfish: Instead of working hard for the master the third servant was lazy and did nothing with what the master had given to him.
2. Sinful: The third servant was being sinful in his selfishness
3. Squandering: The third servant was wasting the opportunity that the master had given to him
There is a reward
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!’
The recognition of the Master
Look again at verses 21 and 23 and notice what the master says to the two servants. The master recognizes their hard work and their efforts. He says “well done” and it is a high praise from a master to a servant. This was more than just an expression of recognition but it was the highest praise a servant could receive from the master. If you want to hear the words well done from the master, you must first well do for the master.
The Reward of the Master
The master gives a promotion to the faithful servants because of what they had accomplished for Him. Each of these servants was given additional responsibility because of their effectiveness. I will put you in charge of many things.
The 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?
Christ wants you to be fruitful with your life (24-30)
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
