Latent Talent

Text: Matthew 25:25     IBCSS    July 26, 2009

Preacher: Pastor Jose B. Cabajar

          Many of us have been reading the Bible for years now and the parable of the talents is quite familiar to us already. We may have read the parable many times and many of us have heard messages of such from Bible preachers and teachers in our Church services for more than once. A closer look at the well-known parable offers us an exciting and worth-knowing Bible knowledge which involves the believers’ attitude, faith, service and stewardship.

       The word “talent” in Matthew 25:25 is not the kind of talent which some people may be familiar of, like talent in singing or some other man’s ability. The usage of the word talent in this Bible account is simply “sum of money”. Verse 25 says, And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. (KJV) The servant hid the talent which his master gave unto him. This was a “latent talent” because the servant concealed the talent and overlooked its possibility to gain interest by depositing it to the bank.

         In the believer’s life, we could associate the parable with the gifts which the Lord has given us to be used for the furtherance of the Gospel. As illustrated in Ephesians 4:10-12, 10  He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: KJV) These passages from the Bible remind us of the gifts that the Lord has given to his children to be properly used in equipping, edifying Christians and in maintaining their God-given ministry.

       A related passage concerning faith-triggered service is in Romans 12:3, For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. (KJV) This verse will help us realize that Christians differ in their level of faith, and for such reason, we should be careful so we may not overestimate or underestimate our faith especially when it comes to our faith-related service.              

(I)  Faith-related Service Shall Be Taken Away If Left Dormant

     Matthew 25:24-29

-We should be a good steward of the things that God has given us

       In the parable of the talents, the three servants were given different amount of talents by their master before he went to a far country and he was expecting them to take care of his money and be good stewards. Matthew 25:14-15 says, 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. 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. (KJV) This account shows us that the master knew the abilities of his servants and he gave them according to their capability as stewards. Such truth reminds us also of the faith-based ministry which God has entrusted to His servants. The Master is the Lord Jesus Christ and the believers are His servants. Believers are expected to serve the Lord faithfully and be good stewards of the things of God.

       God has given us the opportunity to serve Him by faith and use whatever gift we receive from Him. The Lord expects us to be active in our faith-related service so we could do things which are pleasing to Him and that He may find us faithful when He comes.          

·      Be a wise investor

       God is the Author of our faith and He gave us opportunity to serve Him according to the measure of our faith. Our faith should not be hid but be manifested through our Christian service; and our faith should be exercised so the purpose of our life will not be defeated, but be fulfilled in a perfect way.  

       As we study the parable of the talents, we could see that the two servants made their talents usable and fruitful; but the other one did not use his entrusted talent, but in his fear, hid the talent and made it dormant.  In Matthew 25:18, the Bible says, But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. (KJV) Christians should not miss their great privilege of investing their faith and Christian service for the glory of God. It is quite unfair if we keep on investing our substance in this passing world, but neglect to invest in eternity-related things. Get involved in the spreading of the Gospel and be a wise investor.            

·      Be fruitful

       It is best to remember that God wants us to be fruitful and be a blessing to others. He would not like Christians to become unproductive and unprofitable because every servant of the Lord has a vital role in the household of faith. He gives us gifts and abilities so we could use them in the ministry and be prosperous and beneficial to others. The two servants in the parable of the talents invested their money and gained much. We really need Christians with strong faith and wisdom who are willing to obey what God has impressed in their hearts to do.      

      In Matthew 25:16-18, it says, 16 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. (KJV) He that received one talent is a picture of a Christian who does not want to exercise his faith because of fear. His insecurities obscured his vision and paralysed his steps in pursuing his goals. We should not underestimate the power of Holy Ghost working in us, but truly display God’s unlimited power working in our lives. Be fruitful and exhibit God’s abundant grace.           

·      Be delightful to the Lord      

       A faithful steward is delightful to God. He will be commended and rewarded by the Lord. How joyful it will be for us to hear “well done, good and faithful servant”; but on the other hand, how shameful we will be if the Lord says of us, “thou wicked and slothful servant”. It is sadly true that many professing Christians today are not good stewards of their God-given time, ability, strength and money. Keep in mind that everything that a person possesses in life come from God and must be used for His delight.

     The Bible says in Matthew 25:19-23, 19 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. (KJV)

        Be a faithful steward of the things of God and you will be amazed of what God has prepared for you.

·      Don’t be a wicked and slothful servant

       The tragic life of the wicked and slothful servant is a helpful warning and lesson to learn from. His bad attitude toward his master was manifested through his questionable reasoning when he was confronted by his master. He had no goals in life, had an indifferent attitude toward wise investment and even unaware that he was in state of expectancy. Truly, God is expecting Christians to bear fruits and that their fruits should remain and be multiplied.

       The wicked and slothful servant had no desire to exercise his faith by investing the one talent which was entrusted to him. His service for his lord was very poor because he did not possess a servant’s heart. His stewardship did not progress because of lack of interest and wisdom. The parable of the talents is surely an old parable, but the kinds of servants we see in the story have not faded in our days. We could still see those kind of people in the ministry of the Lord. May we not be counted as the wicked and slothful servant but commended by the Lord as His faithful servants.       

        In Matthew 25:24-29, it is written, 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 strawed: 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 strawed: 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. 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. (KJV)

       Certainly, all Christians receive good things from the loving hand of the Lord and we are just stewards of what we have today. Our faith-related service today may seem insignificant in the sight of men, but we are assured that if we continue serving our Lord Jesus Christ, we will be hearing Him say, “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.”