Wisdom in Action

Text:            Matthew 25:14-30

By:               Eyiangho, Godwin

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INTRODUCTION

God endowed mankind with a lot of natural resources that produce the wealth and development of all nations of the world.

Countries that properly harness these resources have good development and better living standard for their citizens which is the ultimate expectation of every human society.

Without these natural resources it would have been impossible for any nation to exist and survive.

Similarly, Christ bestows resources, spiritual and physical, on Christians to be used for the preaching of the gospel and growth of the kingdom of God on earth (Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8; 2:1–4, 38).

If these resources were not given to Christians by Christ, the spread of the gospel and practising the doctrine of Christ would have been impeded. Without equivocation, the necessity and essence of these resources to the growth of the church cannot be overemphasized. 

DEFINITION:

Two words, managing and resources, will be defined.

• Managing: To manage means to have control of something such as business, department, sport/team; to take care of and take decisions about someone’s money, time, etc; to direct the professional career of someone such as an entertainer or a singer.
• Resources: Resources means something that a country has and can use to increase her wealth; a supply of something such as money which someone has and can use when it is needed; a place or thing that provides something useful. 

Having gone through the definition of these words, it implies that the text deals with how we care for and make use of God’s gifts/blessings entrusted to us in the church. 

INTERPRETATION OF MATT. 25:14–30

The teaching of Christ in this passage is called the parable of the talents.

Here, a man going on a journey to a far country is Christ ascending into heaven leaving His disciples (Christians) in charge of His goods (gifts, the gospel and the church) until His second coming (John 21:15–17; Luke 24:50,51; John 14:3,4; Acts 1:10,11).

Talent translated from the modern Greek word ταλέντο (talénto) means a balance scale, a specific weight or sum of money.

Talents in this parable mean God’s gifts, skills, abilities, opportunities and money, which are God’s resources in our lesson, given to Christians to be used for the progress of the church (Ephesians 4:8, 11–15; Mark 10:28–30).

The good servants refer to faithful Christians who wisely and actively used their gifts and produce good result.

They are commended, given more responsibilities and ability to do better and they enter into the joy of their Lord — eternal life in heaven (2 Timothy 2:4; 1 Corinthians 4:2; Matthew 25:34).

The wicked and slothful servant represents lazy Christians who out of fear have wrong view about God and as such do not keep the commands of the Lord.

They are blamed and cast out into outer darkness from the presence of God into everlasting punishment in hell (Matthew 8:12; 25:41).

He who has, more is given to him means when we use our resources well, God gives additional abilities to do better, while he who has not, what he has will be taken away – means those who refuse to use their talents, such gifts will be withdrawn from them and given to others who are actively working (Matthew 13:12 – “For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.”)

This parable also teaches that there will be a day of reckoning (accountability/judgment) at the end of time (Romans 14:12).

Besides, the wicked and slothful servant was condemned for hiding his talent, teaching that God disallows idleness in the church (Revelation 3:16). 

APPLICATION

How can we use God’s resources? From the study text and the brief explanation given, it indicates that all Christians are given gifts, at least one, according to their varied abilities. These gifts are given by the Holy Spirit and must be used for service to God and benefit of one another (1 Corinthians 12:4; Romans 12:5–8). 

EVANGELISM

All Christians are given the gift to preach the gospel. The command to preach is given to all (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; 16).

We can do this through church evangelism, distribution of tracts, invitation, sponsoring of radio/TV programmes, open-air and indoor evangelism, online preaching, personal evangelism (anywhere and anytime) and preaching lifestyle (1 Corinthians 9:16; 2 Corinthians 3:2). 

WORSHIP

We must study and learn how to use our gifts very well in singing, prayer, teaching and admonition, the Lord’s supper and giving. We must give generously for the work of the church and help the needy (Acts 20:35).

We must use our resources to better our homes and the society we live in                                                   (1 Timothy 5:8; Galatians 6:10).

Church leaders – evangelists and leading brothers or elders must plan and show transparent honesty in managing church fund for the day-to-day running of and future growth of the church – they must be visionary in this regard.

When we use our resources well, we lay up treasures in heaven — our most beneficial and permanent home (Matthew 6:19, 20). 

CONCLUSION

God is the absolute Owner and Disposer of all our resources and as stewards we must use them actively, rightly and faithfully to His glory for the growth of the church, the good of one another and as a surety for eternal life in heaven (Revelation 14:13).

Those who fail to do so will miss heaven because all Christians must work in the vineyard of the Lord.

Faith without works is dead (James 2:26).

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