Matthew 25:14-30 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered to them his goods.… I. ALL THAT WE HAVE, AND, INDEED, ALL THAT WE ARE, BELONGS TO GOD. 1. We have nothing that we can call our own — ourselves, our possessions, etc. We are servants — under authority, etc. God's authority over us is entire and unlimited. 2. God has entrusted us with "His goods" — (1) Minds and bodies endowed with numerous and admirable powers. (2) More or less of worldly substance. (3) Positions of influence and authority. (4) The Sabbath, etc. II. THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE TALENTS IN DIFFERENT NUMBERS OR PROPORTIONS. 1. Whether the term "talents" should be applied to all the powers, possessions, and opportunities for usefulness which the Lord of heaven confers upon His servants, or only those which are most eminent and valuable in the possession of each of them, admits of doubt. 2. Their unequal distribution illustrates in various ways the Divine perfections. It manifests His sovereignty, in doing as He pleases with His own; His goodness, as we have no claim or merit; His wisdom, in their adaptation to each. III. THE TALENTS ARE IMPROVABLE. They may be increased in value by wisdom and fidelity in their consecration to the Redeemer's service. IV. THE CERTAINTY OF THE DAY OF RECKONING, HOWEVER IT MAY BE DELAYED. The results of death and judgment and eternity are not the less sure because some wish they were doubtful or uncertain, nor are they the less near because some choose to THINK OF them as distant. V. THE TREATMENT OF THE GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANTS. AS their diligence and their faithfulness had been alike, a similar reward is given to each, and both are commended in the very same words. Confessed, unnumbered sins must, from the nature of the case, be rewards, "not of debt, but of grace." What a generous Master we have! His "Well done!" will be honour and bliss that shall captivate and enrapture as can no earthly delights. VI. THE DOOM OF THE SERVANT WHO HAD BUT ONE TALENT, AND HID IT IN THE EARTH, IS MINUTELY DESCRIBED. The ground of his condemnation. His sin was slothfulness. All his pleas were poor pretences. It was right that he should be deprived, while others were enriched. There can be no valid excuse for not serving God. (T. D. Crothers.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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