MATTHEW 25:14-30
DEEPER STUDY # 1
(25:14-30) Talents—Gifts: the talent spoken of is a weight not a coin. The value of a talent varied as to whether it was gold,
silver, or copper. Christ is probably using money to describe what He is talking about because money is one of the most un-
derstood commodities anywhere on earth.
Christ was teaching that His followers are to be faithful and diligent in whatever He gives them, whether a gift, ability, re-
sponsibility, or blessing.


1
(25:14) Jesus Christ, Ascension—Exaltation: Christ foretold that He was like a man who was travelling to a far coun-
try, and what He foretold happened. He travelled away from the earth and ascended into heaven for a specific purpose:
to sit at the right hand of God. He is to sit there until His servants complete the work He has given them to do. When He re-
turns, it will be the time for reward and for judgment.

“In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to pre-
pare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto
myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (Jn.14:2-3).
“Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted....The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on
my right hand, until I make thy foes thy footstool” (Acts 2:33-35).
“Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance to
Israel, and forgiveness of sins” (Acts 5:31).
“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every
name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and
things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory
of God the Father” (Ph.2:9-11).

2
(25:14-15) Gifts: the Lord has entrusted His goods (gifts, abilities, responsibilities) to His servants. There is a verse that
says it all: “Wherefore He saith, When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive [a host of vanquished foes], and
gave gifts unto men” (Eph.4:8).
In this particular point Christ says three things.
1. The Lord called His own servants. The word for servant is bond-slave. He called those who were supposedly His
own (a precious thought) and who were supposedly faithful and responsible to His service. He had bought them. They were
to be His own and to serve Him. Note why He called them: to put His goods (gifts) into their hands while He was away. His
property had to be looked after and increased and bettered while He was away. The property of the Lord means the world
and the souls of men. The servants are given the very same mission and work that Christ had: to minister to the souls of men
and to the desperate of the world.
2. The Lord gave each servant a different portion of His goods to look after. The point is that each person was given a
special talent (gift or responsibility). No one was left out (Eph.4:7). Each servant was therefore expected to work and serve.
3. The Lord gave to each servant according to his ability. Four factors are important here.
a. No two servants have the same ability: environment, opportunity, genes, heritage, training, mind, heart,
discipline, initiative. Each is different.

“And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man
according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey” (Mt.25:15).
“For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not
receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?”
(1 Cor.4:7).

b. God endows His goods (gifts) as He wills, knowing each servant perfectly.

“But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally
[exactly] as he will” (1 Cor.12:11).

c. Each servant receives all the gifts he needs and can use.

“For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having
then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us
prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or
he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do
it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness
(Ro.12:4-8).
“Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of ad-
ministrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same
God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to
profit withal” (1 Cor.12:4-7).

d. Each servant has equal opportunity to be faithful in using what God has given him. We are to be judged on
our faithfulness, not on the number of gifts or the size of the work we are assigned (cp. v.21 and v.23).
39
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53