Matthew 25:24-27 (NKJV) 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. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ “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. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.
Our attitude influences our relationship with God. This servant’s attitude towards the master affected his ability to produce with the money entrusted to him. God cares about our attitude towards money and possessions. Although Jesus is teaching about the Kingdom of Heaven, He uses this earthly parable to illustrate the truth about being good stewards.
It is a test of each servant’s respect and honour for the Lordship once they have been entrusted with the responsibilities of the master’s goods. Similarly, how we utilise the material resources given to us reveals our true priorities in life. Our attitude is reflected in our worldview of wealth.
The master was gracious towards his servants, treating them well, trusting, and loving them enough to entrust them with his money. However, this does not mean his goodwill would be reciprocated with their love, loyalty, and eagerness to obey his instructions. The servant with one talent was ungrateful and acted for himself rather than for the master!
Many Christians behave more like the third servant, hiding their talents in the ground because they are unwilling to do what the master expects—create wealth with the money he has entrusted to them. They see God as a stern and angry judge rather than a kind, merciful, and generous Heavenly Father. In fact, some may find it difficult to accept that everything comes from God and belongs to Him.
This servant buried his one talent in the ground, demonstrating a distorted view of the master, thinking he would enjoy the fruit of his labour. He forgot that no harvest could be reaped if the master had not provided the seed for sowing; he failed to recognise his graciousness, love, and excellent plan for him. He was unwilling to do more than the bare minimum, did not acknowledge the Lordship or the need to be accountable.
It is the grace of God that He entrusts us with whatever He has blessed us with on earth. Therefore, instead of living solely for ourselves, we should be faithful stewards of what He has entrusted to us, as we will be held accountable when Jesus returns.
Reflection:
What does your view and management of your wealth and possessions reveal about your attitude towards God? If Jesus were to “settle accounts” today, which area of stewardship in your life would need adjustment?
Sermon Series： Are you a wealth creator?
责任与问责
马太福音 25:24-27 那领一千的也来，说：‘主啊，我知道你是忍心的人，没有种的地方要收割，没有散的地方要聚敛。我就害怕，去把你的一千银子埋藏在地里。请看，你的原银子在这里。’主人回答说：‘你这又恶又懒的仆人！你既知道我没有种的地方要收割，没有散的地方要聚敛， 就当把我的银子放给兑换银钱的人，到我来的时候，可以连本带利收回。
我们的态度会影响我们与神的关系。这位仆人对主人的看法，直接影响了他运用所托付金钱的能力。神看重我们对金钱和产业的态度。虽然主耶稣是在讲述天国的真理，但祂借着这个地上的比喻，教导我们如何成为忠心良善的管家。
当仆人被托付管理主人的产业时，这本身就是对他们是否尊重并承认主人主权的考验。同样地，我们如何运用神所赐予的物质资源，也显明了我们生命中真正的优先次序。我们对财富的世界观，其实反映出我们内心的态度。
主人向仆人施恩，善待他们，信任他们，并且因着爱而将财物托付给他们。然而，主人的善意并不必然换来仆人的爱、忠诚和甘心顺服。那领一千银子的仆人心存不满，只顾自己，而非为主人着想。
今天，许多基督徒在某种程度上也像这第三个仆人，把自己的“银子”埋在地里，因为他们不愿意按照主人的心意去运用神所托付的资源，使其增值。他们看神是严厉愤怒的审判者，而不是慈爱、怜悯、慷慨的天父。甚至有人难以真正接受：万物都从神而来，也都属于祂。
这位仆人将银子埋在地里，显明他对主人的错误认知，以为主人会享受他劳碌的成果，却忘了若不是主人先提供种子，就不会有任何收成。他忽略了主人的恩典、慈爱以及为他所预备的美好计划。他只愿意做最低限度的事，不承认主的主权，也不愿意为自己的托付承担责任。
神的恩典就在于，祂竟然将地上的资源托付给我们管理。因此，我们不应只为自己而活，而要成为忠心的管家，因为当主耶稣再来时，我们都要向祂交账。
反思：
从你对财富与产业的看法和管理方式中，可以看出你对神怎样的态度？若今天主耶稣要与你“算账”，你生命中哪一个管家领域最需要调整？
讲章系列：你是一个创造财富的人吗？