Lesson Outline for Jul 9, 2026
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Goal – Understand we are each given a “measure” to work and invest, and there is reward here on earth and in heaven too
- What has God entrusted you with?
- What do you consider talents in your life?
- Are you managing your “talents” well?
- Do you get envious or jealous of other’s talents
- Have you buried anything God gave you to further His kingdom?
Hebrew and Greek Terms / Definitions
- talent #G5007 “talanton” a scale of a balance, a talent, a measure of weight
- ability #G1411 “dynamis” strength, ability, power; power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature; which a person or thing exerts
- journey #G589 “apodemeo” a verb – to travel to another country; take a long and far journey
- property #G5225 “hyparcho” to be in existence, to be in possession, to be ready, at hand, one’s property, one’s substance – ie to have one’s substance / property ready
Talents were a measure of weight, not a sum of money. The English word “talent” comes from this parable and used for “ability,” both natural and supernatural. Respective of money in the Greek form, a talent represented 6,000 denarii and would take a day laborer 20 yrs to match. In application to the parable, it is used as resources – time, money, abilities and authority. [1]
The green is the author’s notations in the verses below. Bold text added for emphasis
We are all born with a measure of talents
God called and entrusted you…
Matt 25:1, 14-23 ESV – “1 Then the kingdom of heaven will be like…, 14 For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’”
- The “kingdom of heaven” is spiritual and requires faith
- All are given ability, talents, opportunity and time naturally and spiritually
- The Master trusted all three; Two walked in – faith, hope, servanthood, obedience and zeal – not fear, sloth, jealousy or envy
- Talents are given according to ability – the one given 2 talents couldn’t manage 5 talents at the time they were given, and didn’t envy the one with 5 talents
- Two received 100% return, and then more from the Master – God’s return on our faithfulness – increase came in their faithfulness, obedience, hope, service and after a period of time
- We are set over areas in God’s Kingdom; we’re active leaders in God’s Kingdom expanse – in heaven too
- It’s better to be faithful in God’s eyes, than gain celebrity from this world
The Master’s servants do the Master’s business
All of us get our “Day of the Lord” – and reassigned active roles in God’s Kingdom
Matt 25:24-30 ESV – “24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.‘ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.‘”
- The servants gave a “personal account” – all will give a personal account
- Why was the last servant judged as “wicked and lazy” – and lost what he had been given…,
- Was he a true servant? How does a true servant act outside the Master’s presence?
- Investing w/ the bankers – he could have invested in what others were doing for the Master
- The servant buried his ability, opportunity and talent out of pride, laziness and fear
- The only thing the lazy servant made was excuses – he even blamed God
- Do we “bury” our talents? DIG them up, wipe them off, use them – No Fear, Sloth or Excuses
- No Fear of – trusting God, giving up what we like/know, giving up traditions, giving up religion, our time, our $$ – we doubt God and then doubt ourselves
- God has given us talents for life abundant – for you and to help others
We are all born with a measure of time
God sets the times and laws; Satan tries to hijack and deceive
Dan 7:25-26 ESV – “25 He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time. 26 But the court shall sit in judgment, and his dominion shall be taken away, to be consumed and destroyed to the end.”
- Satan does not know all the ending – he is illegitimate and deceptive
- The enemy is always trying to change timing and laws for his advantage
- You have a set amount of time, and the enemy wants to hijack our time, defile our Godly timelines via unbelief, being busy, compromise, mixing righteous and unrighteous, etc
- The enemy wants to us to believe he can change God’s laws; the enemy wants you to use your “talents” and time to further his kingdom
Discussion topics for you this week at home regarding my talents and kingdom assignments: 1) What talents has God given me at birth, and as a believer?; 2) What does “God’s joy look like – we enter into it? 3) God has an assignment for you in heaven, what do you think it might be? 4) Based on what God has given you, what “kingdom” assignments does He have for you now?
Remember – God equips us for our calling when we submit to His will
Last thoughts and considerations
- We are more than servants; we are sons and heirs; your inheritance has already begun – We carry His Kingdom now
- We are to work our talents promptly, diligently and God will develop and equip you – even “late bloomers”
- Don’t measure your talents based on someone else’s ability
- Don’t bury what God meant to live, grow and mature – “we bury dead things”
- Don’t let the enemy hijack your ability, talent and time to use for the enemy’s will and purposes – YES the enemy as a will for us too
- The increase was a heavenly (spiritual) increase after a measure of time – 100% + God’s joy
- God’s increase comes in aligning with His word and will; It’s for NOW and our heavenly assignment – our authority and joy is always tied to our relationship with God
Additional verses for self-study
Read, study and compare Luke 19:11-27, The Parable of the Ten Minas
[1] Guzik, D. “Study Guide for Matthew 25 by David Guzik.” Blue Letter Bible. Last Modified 6/2022. https://www.blueletterbible.org/comm/guzik_david/study-guide/matthew/matthew-25.cfm
