1. The Parable of the Talents
Matthew 25:14-30
(Productive)
Compare: Matthew 25:1-13 (Prepared)

2. The Parable of the Talents

3. Hiding His Talent

4. Talent (weight) From Wikipedia
When used as a measure of money, it refers to a talent- weight of gold or silver. The gold talent is reported as weighing roughly the same as a person, and so perhaps 50 kg (110 lb avoirdupois). Some authorities say that the talent typically weighed about 33 kg (75 lbs), varying from 20 to 40 kg. In February, 2016, the international price of gold was about US $1190 per troy ounce. One gram costs about $1.25 million. Similarly, in February 2016, the price of silver was about $15 per troy ounce or about 50 cents per gram, so a 33 kg silver talent would be worth about $16,500.
Thus when we read that King Auletes of Egypt paid Gaius Julius Caesar the sum of 6,000 talents of gold to grant him the status of a “Friend and Ally of the Roman people,” this amount would be worth about 7.5 billion USD today! These estimates are only rough values because they are based on modern estimates. A talent = 6000 denarii; one denarius = a day’s wage. One talent would equal 20 years of labor for a servant. Your talent is more important!

5. What is a Parable? Matt. 13:10-13
A parable is a figure of speech, an extended metaphor, a story using common actions or circumstances designed to illustrate a spiritual truth, a principle, or a moral lesson. The word parable comes from the Greek word parabole, which means to place beside or side by side for the purpose of comparison. A parable can usually be identified by the use of the word “like.” This was the method of teaching Jesus used most often. (An earthly story with a heavenly meaning.)

6. Two servants doubled the talents; one hid his talent
The Parable
A man travels to a far country, leaving his goods to his servants. “To each according to his ability”
Two servants doubled the talents; one hid his talent
Master returns and makes a reckoning.
To 5 & 2 Talents: “well done,” “good and faithful” “enter into the joy of your Lord”
To 1 Talent: “wicked and lazy servant”
“I was afraid”
“You ought to have deposited my money with the bankers” “cast into outer darkness”

7. What Are My Talents?
Some will have more than others; but I will be judged only for what I have, not that of others.
1 Cor. 12:1-11 – even with spiritual gifts of the first century; no room for jealousy – vv
Romans 12:5-9 – areas of service today - 1 Cor. 15:58
How do I find out what I can do?
Trial and error – be willing to try, to locate your ability
Through counsel of others – they can be more objective
By imitation (public prayer, waiting on table, teaching, be observant of those who “do.”)
By repetition – test your ability, then test it again, then again…
By training – 2 Tim. 1:5 – parents, congregational teaching, other preachers, elders, etc. Set yourself a goal!