Matthew 25:14-19 ESV – “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them.  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 man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.”

I Timothy 6:10 NIV – “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.  Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

3 Truths from the Parable of the Talents

1. There Will Be An Audit

Matthew 25:14 – “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who goes on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them.”

Genesis 1:26 NIV – “Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

3 Rules for Evaluating our Stewardship

Rule #1: Incentive or Motivation

“Earn to be able to give.”

Ephesians 4:28 NIV – “He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.”

Rule #2: Value

“God values hard work… it expresses character.”

Ephesians 4:28 NIV – “He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.”

Proverbs 28:19 NIV – “He who works with his hand will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.”

Rule #3: Honesty

“Always do the right thing – even if the wrong pays better.”

Ephesians 4:28 – “He who has been stealing must steal no longer…”

Proverbs 10:9 NIV – “The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.”

I Corinthians 4:2 NIV – “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.”

2. God Rewards Ambition

Matthew 25:21 NIV – “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.”

Philippians 3:13 NIV – “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.  But one thing I do; forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Proverbs 14:23 NIV – “Hard work brings a profit, but mere talk only leads to poverty.”

 3. Profit Is Not Evil … It Pleases God

Romans 14:12 NIV – “So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore, let us stop passing judgment on one another.”

I Timothy 6:17 NIV – “Now command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.”

 I Timothy 6:18 NIV – “Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.  In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”

“Take hold of the life… that is truly life.”

“A lifestyle of GIVING reflects the heart of God and gives HOPE to the world.”