1. Matthew 25:14-30 14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them.

2. Matthew 25:14-30 15 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.

3. Matthew 25:14-30 16 The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. 17 So also, the one with the two talents gained two more.

4. Matthew 25:14-30 18 But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

5. 19 After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’ 19 After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’ Matthew 25:14-30

6. 21 His master replied, ‘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!’

7. Matthew 25:14-30 22 The man with the two talents also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.’

8. Matthew 25:14-30 23 His master replied, ‘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!’

9. Matthew 25:14-30 24 Then the man who had received the one talent came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed.

10. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ Matthew 25:14-30

11. 26 His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed?

12. Matthew 25:14-30 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.

13. Matthew 25:14-30 28 Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. 29 For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.

14. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’” Matthew 25:14-30

17. “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. (Matt. 25:14-15 )

18. There are no servants in this story.

19. ( v.1 ) “Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to…”

20. Sure the one talent man ended up being a loser…

21. Sure the one talent man ended up being a loser…but why?  It was not because he had nothing to work with, but because he didn’t utilize the talent he had.

22. zero

23. The master didn’t evaluate or advise his servants.

28.  Look for Spiritual Gifts. ◦ Gifts that Communicate God’s Word – preaching, evangelism, missions, and writing. ◦ Gifts that Educate God’s People – teaching, counseling, discernment, and knowledge. ◦ Gifts that Demonstrate God’s Love – service, mercy, hospitality and encouragement. ◦ Gifts that Celebrate God’s Truths – singing, arts and crafts, and poetry. ◦ Gifts that Facilitate God’s Purposes – leadership, administration, prayer, and encouragement.

29.  Follow your Heart! ◦ Consider the things you love to do!  Consider your Abilities. ◦ What do you do well? What are you uniquely qualified to do?  Personality. ◦ God has wired each of us on purpose with a certain temperament.  Think about your Experience. ◦ How has life molded, shaped and equipped you?

30. Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (I Corinthians 10:31 )

31.  Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest. (Matthew 25:27 )  The one talent man should have done something!

32. (Matthew 25:31f)