Matthew 25:14-29 (NKJV)
“For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ 21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ 26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed.27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. 29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
CG Discussion Points
- What are the problems with the third servant who hid the talent? Discuss if you may also behave like the third servant who is unwilling to do something more than he is required or not felt the need to be held accountable for what God has entrusted him with. (Matt 25:14-29)
- Discuss what God expects from us for the talents/finances that He has entrusted us with when He returns to settle the accounts. How does acknowledging that God is the source of our provision help you manage your finances and give with grace? (1 Thes 5:2; 1 Cor 3:8-9; Matt 25:14, 16-18; 2 Cor 9:8-10)
- Discuss how a faithful servant should sow and reap the seed provided by God as His representative on earth. What is the biblical financial principle where God will supply and multiply the seed you have sown? How does this relate to God’s teaching on giving and blessing the poor? (Matt 25:24; 2 Cor 9:6, 10; Prov 11:24-25; Prov 19:17)