Please turn with me to Matthew 25 - starting at verse 14.  Today we’ve come to the Parable of The Three Stewards - or as they’re sometimes called, Los Trés Amigos.

Jesus is in Jerusalem.  Its His last week of ministry leading up to the crucifixion.  The situation between Jesus and the religious leaders is volatile.  Ahead lies the cross.  Jesus is teaching about what’s to come.  His disciples don’t know what’s coming.  But, Jesus does.  So, He’s preparing them - for the crucifixion - the resurrection - His return to heaven - and His return back to earth - which we’re still waiting for today.

In the parable we looked at last Sunday - the parable we’re looking at today - and next Sunday’s parable - we’re looking specifically at Jesus’ teaching His disciples - and us - teaching about what we’re to be doing while we’re waiting for His return.  

How do we live as citizens of God’s Kingdom - how do we live subject to the reign and the movement of the sovereign God within His universe - while we’re waiting for Jesus to return?  What should we be focused on?  Last Sunday we saw Jesus teaching the importance of going deeper - giving over control of our lives each day - in the daily stuff of life - our will given over to the Lord Jesus Christ.  Prudence verses foolishness.  Remember that?  Today, we’ve come to The Three Stewards.

Matthew 25:14:  “For it - “it” meaning the Kingdom of God - for it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them.  To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey.  Immediately the one who had received five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents.  In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more.  But he who received the one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.”

Let’s pause there and make some observations.  We need to be clear on what Jesus is talking about when He speaks about these talents.  Notice some things with me.

First - the talents are the possession of the Master - verse 14.  They’re his to give or withhold.  There’s no transfer of title or ownership.  The slaves have no expectation that they should be given anything.  The talents are not owed to them.  They’re simply given to them because they’re the slaves.  They have this master-slave relationship thing going.

Second - notice that they’re given talents according to their individual abilities - verse 15.  Slave number one is a five talent kind of guy.  Slave number two is a two talent guy.  Slave three is a one talent kind of guy.  The distribution of talents is all based on ability - what the master knows each slave is capable of.  While these talents are not natural abilities they are given on the basis of ability.

Third - by implication - the decision of what to do with the talent lies totally in the hands of the slave.  The master goes away on a journey.  That sort of thing happened all the time.  He might be gone for months on a trip to Rome or someplace.  The master gives responsibility for the estate to the slaves.  Never does this master say, “This is exactly what I want you to do.”  There’s freedom here - not dictatorship.  Talents are entrusted to the slaves.  The choice of use is theirs.

Fourth - again by implication - the benefit of the talent being used - the benefit is for the master.  The talent is still his property.  When the master gets back there’s some expectation of wise stewardship.  Something gained for the master from the use of the talent.

Fifth - What is the talent?  Unit of weight?  Coinage?  There are various estimates of what these talents might be worth - somewhere between $5,000 each and $500,000.  They might represent up to 20 years of work to earn.  Point being that they’re valuable.  But, that really limits Jesus’ point here to simple finances.  Let’s be careful.

The talent - as Jesus is using it as an illustration - the talent is much more than just money.  It represents applied ability - time - gifting - resources - and even money.  Jesus is focusing us on what we do with what we have. 

Specifically - as the master - gives the slaves the talents - he gives them opportunity.  Opportunity for the slaves to use their abilities for the benefit of the master.  Just as God gives us opportunities to use our abilities for the benefit of our master.  The talents are opportunity.

Let’s say that together.  “The talents are opportunity.”

Verse 19:  “Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them.  The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted five talents to me.  See, I have gained five more talents.’  His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave.  You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’  Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, ‘Master, you entrusted two talents to me.  See, I have gained two more talents.’  His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful salve.  You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’”

Let’s pause and make some observations.

First - notice that the reward is based - not on ability - but on faithfulness.  Slave number one had 5 talents worth of ability.  Slave number two had 2 talents worth of ability.  And, both of them doubled their investment.  They risked the same amount - proportionally.  They earned the same amount - proportionally.  They were faithful to use 100% of their ability to take advantage of 100% of the opportunity.

God isn’t expecting us two talent people to produce from five talents of ability.  And that’s a good thing - right?  What God expects is faithfulness.  That’s the test Jesus applies here.  The question the master asks is this:  “Did you use the ability you have to take full advantage of the opportunity I gave you?”

Second - notice the pleasure of the master and the reward to the slaves.  There are “well done” high fives all around.  The slaves are faithful.  The master has a profit.  The slaves are rewarded.

The number of talents is doubled.  Responsibility is added.  There’s joy which comes from the master and the slaves get to experience that joy.  They get the key to the executive washroom.  Use of the Ferrari chariot with the goat hide hand rail.  This is good stuff.  Satisfaction in earning recognition and reward.  Knowing and experiencing the pleasure and approval of the master is an awesome and joyful reality.

Verse 24 - on the other hand…  “And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed.  And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground.  See you have what is yours.’  But his master answered and said to him, ‘You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed.  Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest.  There fore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’”

Let’s pause here.

First - notice the actions of slave number three.  The master comes to settle accounts.  Slave number one and slave number two - almost had a Dr. Seuss moment there:  “Thing One” and “Thing Two.”  These two slaves come up all excited “See, look at the profit we made.”  Slave number three doesn’t.

He’d been given the same opportunity as slave one and slave two.  He could have risked himself on behalf of his master - just like slave one and slave two.  Made an investment - even at some paltry bank rate.  But he didn’t.  He ignored the opportunity.  Didn’t even take time to think about it.  As soon as he was given the talent he went out in the garden and buried it.  Out of sight out of mind.

Second - notice the attitude of slave number three.  When the master comes back he’s got this little toastmaster’s speech all written out.  He’s practiced it.  Memorized it.  All to justify his actions.  “You’re a hard headed man.  You expect others to do your work for you while you get all the benefits.  I knew I’d be risking my neck if I invested that money and lost it.  I was afraid.  So I went and buried it - kept it safe.  Here it is.  We’re even.”

The master isn’t buying it - the snow job.  The master points goes right to the heart of the lie.  “If that’s what you thought of me then you knew you couldn’t please me by burying the money.  At least you could have invested it.”  This isn’t about investments.  Its about obedience - doing what the master expects.  Even the bare minimum.

Third - notice what’s actually going on with slave number three.  As a true servant, slave number three would have done what he knew his master wanted him to do.  But, he didn’t.  He had his own life to live.  His own set of priorities.  He’s his own master.  Ultimately, he’s a phony slave.  Maybe a slave outwardly - dressed in the latest Gucci slave attire.  But, inwardly he’s his own man.

C.S. Lewis said this, “It may be a hard thing for an egg to become a bird; it is a jolly sight harder for it to learn to fly while it is still in the egg.  We are like eggs, today, and we either must be hatched, or go bad!” (1)

Here was this great opportunity to step up to the plate.  To become the servant that the master desired of him.  And he buried it because he was his own man.

Its important for us to see this contrast - slaves one and two - faithful servants of the master - who know him as a man of love - who rewards generously.  And slave number three - who’s faithful to himself.  Who sees the master as someone to be feared - who plunders the goods of others.  The reality is that slave number three really has no idea what this master is actually like.  He has no relationship with the master.

Verse 29 - Jesus comes to His bottom line:  “For everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away.  Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Use it or - what?  lose it.  That’s pretty cut and dry.  Use the opportunities that God gives you and more will be given to you.  If you don’t - you prove that you really are not a servant of God - and what little you enjoy in this life will be taken away.  You will be taken away forever - cast into eternal punishment.

Thinking this parable through for us today.  Do you remember scene back in the Book of Numbers - Numbers 13 - Moses and God’s people are in the wilderness of Paran?  Camped on the edge of the Promised Land.  The scene where Moses sends out the 12 spies into the land of Canaan?  Remember that?

Moses sends the spies north through the Negev into the hill country of Canaan.  Tells them, “See what the land is like - whether the people who live in it are strong or weak - whether they’re few or many?  What’s the farm land like?  Are they living in fortified cities or out in the open?”

The spies set off on about a 500 mile round trip tour through Canaan - this land that God has promised to give them.  40 days later they show up back at camp.  They come through camp - carrying all this incredible fruit - on a pole being carried between two men they’ve got a huge cluster of grapes.  They’ve brought back pomegranates and figs - they march right up in front of all the people - carrying all this fruit - right up to Moses and Aaron to give their report.

They start off, “The land you sent us to is just flowing with milk and honey.  And then there’s the fruit.  Just look at this stuff.  You should have seen the one’s that got away.”  Are you tracking with this?  There’s all kinds of God given opportunity.

“Nevertheless, the people who live in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large; and not only that, we saw the descendants of Anak there.  Amalek is living in the land of the Negev and the Hittites and the Jebusites and the Amorites are living in the hill country, and the Canaanites are living by the seas and by the side of the Jordan.”

Caleb - one of the spies - he and Joshua break rank with the other 10.  Caleb tries to quiet the people, “We should go up and take possession of it for we will surely overcome it.”  God promised us this land.

But, in fear - the other spies embellish their report.  “The land devours its inhabitants.  Its got man eating dirt.  All the men are of great size.  There are giants.  We were like grasshoppers around them.”

Buried opportunity.

First thought of application:  God is continually giving us opportunities.  Say that with me, “God is continually giving us opportunities.”

God may be opening up an opportunity of ministry for you.  To serve Him in totally different way.  He may open up a door of opportunity at work - maybe even a new work situation.  To build or not to build.  That’s a question of opportunity.  To give or not to give.  That’s a question of opportunity.

One of our greatest opportunities is the opportunity to share Jesus with others.  Every time a Mormon or a Jehovah Witness knocks on our door its an opportunity.  There are a tremendous number of people that we interact with who have no clue what it means to know the joy of the Master.  They don’t know what it means to have their sins forgiven and to be made right with God.  They don’t understand that they don’t have to earn righteousness - life isn’t about them someone getting through it all and maybe getting a piece of it along the way.  They don’t know the reality that God really does love them.

God is continually giving us opportunities - to serve Him - to live for Him - to trust Him - to testify of Him. 

Second thought of application:  Opportunities mean risk.  Let’s say that, “Opportunities mean risk.”

Quasimodo - the demented bell ringer of Notre Dame - put an ad in the papers for a assistant bell ringer.  One man applied for the job but he had no arms.

“How are you going to assist me?” asked Quasimodo.

“That's easy!” replied the man and he ran at the bell and banged it with his head.  BONG!!!

“That's amazing!” said Quasimodo. “Could you show me that again?”

“Sure!” said the man and he ran at the bell again but he missed the swinging bell and fell out of the bell tower.  A crowd huddled around the hapless man lying in the street and a police officer asked, “Does anyone know who he is?”

Quasimodo came out and said...  “I don’t know his name.  But, his face sure rings a bell!”

There is risk when we take advantage of opportunity. 

Opportunities are moments of decision.  Like with those three slaves.  There’s a choice.  We can risk what we’ve been given - risk our reputation - maybe even our life - in order to do what God may have for us to do.  Or, we can play it safe - bury the talent - get what we can for ourselves.

There’s a long list of people out there who will tell us to be careful with what we risk.  Many of them Christians.  People who’ve settled for an American lifestyle of bigger and better - constantly upgrading.  Or, at least as a Christian - perhaps comfortable is okay.  Play it safe with your investments.  Plan your leisure time wisely around what pleases you.  You worked hard.  You deserve this.

People, who when we talk about investing in the Kingdom of God the first question is, “How will that effect my portfolio?”  Or, “I can pencil that in next Wednesday after my tennis lessons.”  “We can’t afford that while we’re making payments on our widescreen.”  God is laying opportunities in front of them - people are frying in hell - and they’re worried about their bowling handicap.

There are questions that we should ask ourselves.  “Will this give me what I want, or will it make it possible for Jesus to do His work more freely in me and through me?”  That’s a choice - a risky choice - taking advantage of what God puts before us.  It takes commitment to enter the promised land.  Takes commitment to use our talents to benefit the Master.  Not partial - weekend - when I feel like it - pencil God in next Sunday commitment.  But, 100% giving of all we are to invest in the opportunity He lays before us.

Third thought of application:  Joy.  Say that with me, “Joy.”

The writer of Hebrews says of Jesus, “for the joy set before Him - Jesus - endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right  hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)  Because of joy Jesus endured the cross - committed 100% to the opportunity of the cross.

Way too often when we hear this parable the focus is on slave number three.  The impression is given that if we don’t serve God He’s going to zap us and smite us and send a plague of frogs through our house.  We serve God because He’ll get us if we don’t.

But that isn’t being said here.  Jesus is giving us a totally different motivation - one that transcends fear and compels our commitment - even if it means a cross.  Jesus is telling us that God - who gives us our abilities - He created us - gives us our opportunities - gives us everything we need to be successful in the first place - so what are we really risking - God is just waiting to bless us.  To reward us.  To give us more.  To fill us with His joy.

The joy of accomplishment.  The joy of achievement.  The joy of satisfying the heart of God.  Not a temporal - here today and I forgot it tomorrow - kind of joy.  But eternal joy that comes from eternally being in the presence and pleasure of God - even today.  Can you imagine the almighty sovereign God of the universe saying to you personally, “Well done, good and faithful slave.”  That’s motivation. 

Last thought of application:  Which is it?

Bottom line.  Either we’re using our talent or we’re burying it.  In the quietness of your own relationship with God you need to answer that question.  There’s a lot hanging on the answer.

To risk who we are - what we have - for Jesus is to be forever changed.  It doesn’t matter if you’re a one talent kind of person or ten talent kind of person.  There is always an opportunity before you to risk - to trust His grace - to rest in Him - to follow His plan for your life.  If you hold onto your prerogatives as your own man or woman - hold onto what you have - like slave number three - you’ll lose it all.  The way to spend our time waiting is to live recklessly in the arms of Jesus. 

So this question is before each of us.  Which is it?  Using it?  Or burying it?

_________________

1. C.S. Lewis quoted by Ray Stedman, Living Dangerously