Matthew - Week 78

A Long Trip 

READ 

Matthew 25:14-15 

14 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. 15 He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip.” 

Jesus had told a story about the need to watch for the master’s return. No doubt this story referred to people occupying their time and using their resources while He was gone from the earth. Those who trust in Him are to be involved “in proportion to their abilities.” Some translations of this passage use the word “talent” instead of “bag of silver.” Talent in those days had to do with money but it could be applied to all of life. Those who know and love the Lord should use all they have available to honor Him. 

REFLECT 

Perhaps the Lord has not provided material gains for you to invest, but you can invest your life in others. 

RESPOND 

Talk with a fellow Christian about this. Acknowledge that a “tithe” is not mentioned in the New Testament. A believer is to give in proportion to the way he or she has been blessed. See 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 for the apostle Paul’s instructions about giving. See also 2 Corinthians 8:12 for a principle to follow in giving. 

Investment Strategies 

READ 

Matthew 25:16-18 

16 “The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more. 17 The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more. 18 But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money.” 

This portion of the story reveals what each person did with his money. Increase was gained by those who invested what they had. The story focuses most on the servant who hid what he had rather than doing anything with it. What will the Lord say about these different actions of the servants? 

REFLECT 

Consider what the Lord has blessed you with such as: health, friends, finances, and technology to communicate with others. Are you using what’s available to you to tell others the Gospel and encourage them spiritually? 

RESPOND 

Talk with a friend from your local church. Discuss how each of you can better use what God has provided you to encourage others in their Christian life. Think about what Hebrews 10:25 says. Are you doing this? Talk not only about the impact you can have locally but also about what you can do through others who minister where you cannot. 

Called to Account 

READ 

Matthew 25:19-20 

19 “After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money. 20 The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of silver came forward with five more and said, ‘Master, you gave me five bags of silver to invest, and I have earned five more.’” 

This passage tells of the master’s return and the servants giving account for what they did with what he had given them. This pictures people giving account to God in the future. Here some of the servants told what they had done with the money given to them.  

REFLECT 

Have you considered what it will be like when each person gives account to God? Have you also considered that no matter how spiritual others in your family are, you will stand alone before Him? What do you expect? 

RESPOND 

Consider passages in the Bible that tell about giving account to God. Believers will give account in a manner seen in 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 and 2 Corinthians 5:6-10. Unbelievers will stand before God at the Great White Throne judgment mentioned in Revelation 20:11-15.  

Good and Faithful Servant 

READ 

Matthew 25:21-23 

21 “The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’ 22 The servant who had received the two bags of silver came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two bags of silver to invest, and I have earned two more.’ 23 The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’” 

Jesus’ story reveals how the master commends the servants who did well by investing what had been given to them. Notice that being responsible for a smaller task allows one to be entrusted with larger ones. With those who did well the master said, “Let’s celebrate together.”  

REFLECT 

As you seek to honor Jesus in your life, are you faithful in small responsibilities? If not, do you think He will entrust you with larger ones? 

RESPOND 

Talk with another Christian about the importance of being faithful; that is, you can be trusted to carry out responsibilities. In this regard, see 1 Corinthians 4:1-2. See also Galatians 5:22-23 and notice that faithfulness is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. 

Hidden Away 

READ 

Matthew 25:24-25 

24 “Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate. 25 I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.’” 

Then the servant who had done so little with what was entrusted to him used critical language as he described his master. The servant seemed pleased that he did not lose the money and instead hid it in a hole in the ground. Could he have possibly thought the master would be pleased with what he had done? The master’s (Jesus’) reply will follow. 

REFLECT 

As one considers serving Jesus, is it thought that He would be pleased if what He has entrusted to the believer is not used? 

RESPOND 

Visit with a fellow believer about four passages in the Bible that tell of the gifts given to believers. These passages can be remembered by two 12s and two 4s. They are Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11. The others are Ephesians 4:11-13; 1 Peter 4:10-11.