Text: Matthew 25:14-30

The place to start is to review the definition of stewardship. A steward is a person who manages and administrates what has been entrusted to him by another. In this case, a steward is a person who manages what has been entrusted to him/her by God. As I have noted in the sermon titles above, God has entrusted us with our lives, our talents, our time, and our money.

There is another thing that I want to point out before we move on to today’s message. Remember that there are several key principles upon which stewardship is established. Two key principles are these –

1. God Owns All Things.

Psalms 24:1 says, "The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein."

2. Every believer has the personal responsibility to manage, supervise, and administer all that God has given him/her to the glory of God -- Luke 19:13 "And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy (= use what you possess) till I come."

The Stewardship of Talents.

I feel it is necessary for me to make a brief explanation of the title of today’s message, particularly the word talents. I am not using this word in the specific sense. A talent was a measure of weight. We see this in Revelation 16:21 – "And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great." The Greek word translated talent is ταλαντιαῖος talantiaios (tal-an-tee-ah'-yos). According to my sources, a talent weighed between 108 and 130 pounds. I am not using talent in this way.

A Talent, among the Hebrews, was also a gold coin, the same with a shekel of gold, also called a stater. We see the word stater translated "the piece of money" in Matthew 17:27, that was to be found in the fishes mouth. I am not using talent to refer to a coin. However, I am using talent in a metaphorical way referring to the gifts, talents, abilities and possessions the Lord has given to each of us. While Matthew 25:14-28, the parable of the talents, uses the word talents to indicate and amount of money, the purpose of the parable is a metaphoric one, showing us that God holds us responsible to use our gifts, talents, abilities and goods to advance His purpose and plan.

The Stewardship of Talents Is Built Upon The Fact That God Expects All Christians To Produce Good Works

 We are to be fruitful in every good work – Colossians 1:10 

"That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;"

Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul wrote to the Colossian believers telling that it pleases the Lord when they are fruitful in every good work. The word translated fruitful is the Greek word karpoforew karpophoreo (kar-pof-or-eh’-o) means to bear fruit. Believers are trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord. Good works are the fruit, which, under the influence of divine grace, we are to bring forth. Remember, fruitfulness depends on our being ingrafted into Christ the true vine, and deriving life, sap, and nourishment from him. Turn with me to John 15:5 "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."

Are you abiding in Christ? We are to be fruitful stewards of the all the talents God has given us. We are to bear fruit with our talents.

 We are to be established in every good work – 

2 Thessalonians 2:17

"Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work."

The English word stablish is a translation of an interesting Greek word, sthrizw sterizo (stay-rid’-zo). It means to turn resolutely in a certain direction. We are told we are to be stablished in the word. That is, we are to be turned resolutely or be fully committed to the Word of God. But, the verse also says that we are to be stablished in the work of God. This implies that we are committed to and persevere in using our talents (the gifts, talents, abilities and goods) God has given us for good.

 We must diligently follow in every good work – 

1 Timothy 5:10

"Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work."

When you read the context of this verse, it is clear to see that the verse specifically deals with widows who are worthy of church help. However, It is revealing to see the standard used to determine a worthy widow. She must have "diligently followed every good work." The English phrase diligently followed is a translation of but one Greek word - epakolouyew epakoloutheo ep-ak-ol-oo-theh’-o, which means to walk in the footsteps of, that is to say, she devoted herself to doing good. In the earlier part of the verse some of these "good works" are itemized: she reared her children properly, feeding, clothing and teaching them. We see that she was hospitable, giving housing, food and drink to people she did not know. She also humbly "washed the saints’ feet. This indicates that she served as needed, even in the most humble tasks. We are to follow her example and use our talents and energies to do good, as the passage says, diligently follow…good work."

 We must provoke others to good works – Hebrews 10:24

"And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:"

The word provoke in our current usage has a negative connotation. However, in this context provoking other believers is a good thing. The word is a translation of the Greek word paroxusmov paroxusmos (par-ox-oos-mos’) and it means to sharpen, to stimulate, to incite or excite. Believers are called upon to arouse, excite and to call to action other believers to love (agaph agape) and to good works. We are to take note of other believers spiritual welfare, and when perceive them to be calloused and lethargic in the area of love and good works, we are to try to stir them up to perform actions of love and good works.

Remember, God expects all Christians to produce good works.

 We are to be fruitful in every good work. We are to bear fruit for God with everything He has given to us. 

 We are to be established in every good work. We are to be committed to and persevere in using our talents that (the gifts, abilities and goods) God has given us for good. 

 We must provoke others to good works. We are to try to stir them up to perform good works.

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The Stewardship of Talents #2

I want to begin this second message on The Stewardship of Talents by reviewing the definition of a steward. A steward is a person who manages and administrates what has been entrusted to him by another. In this case, a steward is a person who manages what has been entrusted to him/her by God. God has entrusted us with our lives, our talents, our time, and our money. Therefore, a stewardship is the careful and responsible management of the things God has entrusted to your care.

The Stewardship of Talents Is Built Upon The Fact That God Expects All Christians To Produce Good Works.

 We are to be fruitful in every good work – Colossians 1:10 

 We are to be established in every good work – 2 Thessalonians 2:17

 We must diligently follow in every good work – 1 Timothy 5:10

 We must provoke others to good works – Hebrews 10:24

The Stewardship of Talents is Based On The Fact That God Expects All Christians To Produce Good Works Because He Has Given Them The Capacity To Do So.

 Every Believer Receives A Special Gift From The Lord

Ephesians 4:7-8 "But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men."

Per verse 7 Robertson’s Word Pictures says "Each gets the gift that Christ has to bestow for his special case." In fact, Christ has generously given out gifts to his children. This most certainly is supported in the New Testament. Turn with me to Romans 12:4-9 "For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness. 9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good."

It is not my purpose to explain the differing gifts our Lord gives to believers. I will save that for another message. But, the fact is, God has given each believer a gift and therefore we are to use it to serve Him. Now, I do not want you to be frustrated because you do not know what your gift is…prophecy (preaching), ministering (deaconing; serving), teaching, exhorting (admonishes the unruly and comforts the troubled), giving, ruling (leadership), or showing mercy. For years I had no idea what my gift was. And what did I do? I just served the Lord. Listen my friend, if you keep yourself clean, God will use you. Turn to 2 Timothy 2:21 "If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work."

There are two great problems when it comes to the gifts that believers are given by the Lord. First, they are not prepared to use their gifts because they are living in sin. Second, they do not want "stand in the gap" for the Lord. They are content to sit on the sidelines. We need Christians who will "put off the old man" and "put on the new man." We need Christians who will stand in the gap for the Lord (Ezekiel 22:30).

 God Has Committed To Believers Truths, Principles, Promises, Powers and Talents That We Are To Share With Others

A key part of the stewardship of talents is sharing with others the things that we have learned as believers. 2 Timothy 2:2 "And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also."

We also must remember that we have been entrusted with the Gospel that we are to share with others. 1 Thessalonians 2:4 "But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts."

We are to confront others with the truths of God’s Word. To be sure we are to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), however, as with Stephen, the first recorded New Testament martyr, you will encounter people who do not want to hear the truth (see Acts 7:54-57). "Shake off the dust from your feet" and move on to the next person.

We are also to exhort other believers. We read in 1 Thessalonians 4:1 "Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more." Often believers take exception to being exhorted. I recently reminded a brother that I was NOT his enemy, I was just telling him the truth. We read in Galatians 4:16 "Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?"

In summary, we have seen that wise stewards realize that God has given them a special gift, therefore you are to use that gift to server the Lord. That is being a good steward of the talents God has given. We have also seen that God has given believers Truths, Principles, Promises, Powers and Talents that we are to share with others. That is being a good steward of the talents God has given.

The Stewardship of Talents #3
Seven Principles Pertaining To The Stewardship of Talents

Text: Matthew 25:14-30

As I begin I want to remind you of the definition of a steward. A steward is a person who manages and administrates what has been entrusted to him by another. In this case, a steward is a person who manages what has been entrusted to him/her by God. God has entrusted us with our lives, our talents, our time, and our money. Therefore, a stewardship is the careful and responsible management of the things God has entrusted to your care.

The Stewardship of Talents is Based On The Fact That God Expects All Christians To Produce Good Works Because He Has Given Them The Capacity To Do So.

Every Believer Receives A Special Gift From The Lord.

God Has Committed To Believers Truths, Principles, Promises, Powers and Talents That They Are To Share With Others.

7 Principles Pertaining To The Stewardship of Talents

The Goods Entrusted To The Servants Belong To The Lord.

The Amount of The Goods Entrusted To Each Servant Was Determined Solely By The Lord and The Receiver’s Ability.

Each Servant Is Personally Responsible For The Management of the Goods Given To Him By The Lord.

Each Servant Was Called On To Give A Strict Account of How He Handled His Master’s Goods.

Each Servant Was Required To Show A Marked Gain.

Commendation Was Given To The Servants Who Produced.

Condemnation Was The "Reward" Given To The Servant Who Refused To Use His Talent

Seven Principles Pertaining To The Stewardship of Talents
The text that points out these 7 Principles is Matthew 25:14-30. Let’s look at the first principle…

1. The Goods Entrusted To The Servants Belong To The Lord

Matthew 25:14 "For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.

In this parable, the "man" is Jesus Christ. The "far country" is Christ ascending up to Heaven, who, when he ascended up on high gave gifts unto men (Ephesians 4:8). The "goods" which the man is said to have delivered to his servants, are to be understood as the gifts which God giveth to men.

My first point is simply this. All that we have belongs to the Lord. I pointed this out in a previous message so I will not belabor the point. I remind you of Psalms 24:1 "The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein."

 2. The Amount of The Goods Entrusted To Each Servant Was Determined Solely By The Lord and The Receiver’s Ability.

Matthew 25:15 "And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey."

You will note that all three men received a gift(s) although unequally. Since Christ knows all things, He distributed his gifts according to the believer’s "several (individual) ability." We can state clearly that every believer receives at least one talent. This is affirmed by 1 Corinthians 12:11. "But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will."

 3. Each Servant Is Personally Responsible For The Management of the Goods Given To Him By The Lord.

Matthew 25:16-18 "Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. 17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. 18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money."

Even a hasty reading of this passage makes it clear that two "servants" are busy doing business for the Lord. The point is this, as faithful stewards, we are to make a great use of the goods and talents given to us for the profit of our Master. That’s why God gave them to us, for the glory of His holy name, and the salvation of souls.

 4. Each Servant Was Called On To Give A Strict Account of How He Handled His Master’s Goods.

Matthew 25:19-25 "After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. 20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strowed: 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine."

I remind you of the words of the Apostle Paul – "Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." 2 Corinthians 5:9-10

Mark those inspired words – "We labour that…we may be accepted by Him."

 5. Each Servant Was Required To Show A Marked Gain.

Matthew 25:26-27 "His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strowed: 27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury."

I am not sure how to put this tactfully. I not sure I should put this tactfully, so I am going to take it head on. Christianity is not a spectator sport! It requires your participation…daily. Remember our Lord told said, "And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." Luke 9:23

 6. Commendation Was Given To The Servants Who Produced

Matthew 25:20-23 "And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."

Paul gives us a glimpse of the reward that we can expect if we faithfully use our talents to serve him. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."

Christian friends, fight the good fight. Keep the faith!

 7. Condemnation Was The "Reward" Given To The Servant Who Refused To Use His Talent.

Matthew 25:24-30 "Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strowed: 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. 26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strowed: 27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury [interest]. 28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 29 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. 30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

Many Christian start well, but then backslide. We read about that in 1 Corinthians 9:27 "But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." I would also bring to your attention 1 Corinthians 3:11-15.

If Matthew 25: 14-30 teaches anything, it teaches that believers must quit being spectators and get in the race! There are negative eternal ramifications for those who want Christians who do want to put forth to effort to be in the Christian race and "press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14