How Can We Apply the Parable of the Talents to Our Lives?
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Jesus was a masterful storyteller. Using common objects like sheep and seeds, Jesus told short but powerful parables to help His audience grasp important spiritual truths. One of these is the Parable of The Talents (Matthew 25:14-30).
The Parable of the Talents
Before leaving on a journey, a man entrusted three servants with talents. Talents are a large sum of money so they are often referred to as gold.
The man gave the first servant five bags of gold, the second servant two bags of gold, and the third servant one bag of gold. Each servant received according to their ability.
While the man was away, the first two servants put their gold to work and doubled the gold they received. The third servant simply buried the gold.
Upon the man’s return, the servants settled their accounts with him. He praised the first two servants saying “Well done good and faithful servant” and entrusted them with even more responsibilities.
The third servant was reprimanded for being wicked and lazy. His bag of gold was removed from him and he was thrown outside into the darkness.
What Does the Parable of the Talents Mean?
The man in this parable represents Jesus and the servants are Christ-followers.
In the same way that the man in the parable of the talents had entrusted his servants with bags of gold, God has entrusted each of us with varying amounts of resources.
The first two servants received the same reward even though they had received a different amount of talent. The reward was based on their faithfulness, not on how many responsibilities they had.
The third servant failed because he didn’t do anything with the talent he received. He hid it to protect it but never shared it.
We, like the servants in the parable of the talents, are expected to be good stewards of the resources we are given. We are to make the best use of them, not for our own benefit, but to further God’s kingdom and to bless others.
We can do this by sharing God’s Word, loving one another, and helping those in need. If you are struggling in this area, pray and ask the Lord to help you.
One day, we will give an account to God of what we have done with all that He has entrusted us with.
What Talents Has God Entrusted You With?
It’s not important what and how many resources we have, but how we use them for God’s purposes. Do we have a roof over our heads? When was the last time we invited someone over for a meal? Do we have a spare coat? Is there someone who needs it more than us?
Thanksgiving Day is just around the corner, and it offers us great opportunities to share our blessings, even if it is just by hosting a simple dinner with family and friends.
After eating, instead of everyone just sitting around staring at their phones or watching TV, why not enjoy your time together playing some of these Thanksgiving Games and Activities?
For instance, the low-prep Thanksgiving Minute To Win It games are sure to be a hit with your family and friends. Alternatively, consider one of these delightfully fun Christmas Games, with the beautiful free printables, that will add a healthy dose of festive cheer.
If you like the simple way in which the Parable of The Talents is told and explained here, be sure to check out the brand new card game, Parable Parade, by Bible Games Central.
Besides being a fun and exciting strategy game for ages 6 to 99, it comes with 12 Parable Summary Cards that explain each parable featured in the game.
Do You Long to Hear “Well Done Good and Faithful Servant”?
Being a good and faithful servant to God means you are truthful, trustworthy, and faithful. As believers, we need to acknowledge all the gifts the Lord has given to us and use them for His glory.
You can become a faithful servant of God by praying and asking the Lord to come into your heart. Make the commitment to follow Him, start serving Him, and live your life the way He intended.
When you become a child of God, you gain unconditional love. Our Father loves us for who we are; not what we look like or what we have. His love is unconditional and forever.
Our goal when being a faithful servant of God is to hear these words when our time has come to an end.
“Well done, good and faithful servant” Matthew 25:23
Parable of the Talents Bible Verses
Here is the story of the Talents Parable in the Bible. This is from the NKJV.
“For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.
Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise, he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time, the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
“So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things.
Enter into the joy of your lord.’ He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
“Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’
“But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.
‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ Matthew 25:14-30
Are You Being a Good Steward of What You’ve Been Blessed With?
It’s easy to think that we have somehow earned everything that we have received. The Truth is, that everything belongs to God.
Take the blessings in your life and think of ways you can grow them and use them for God’s Glory. We can use our time, money, abilities, etc., to bless others. Pray about it and see what the Lord puts on your heart.
