A missed opportunity can be a big disappointment, or it can even be a tragedy. If someone has been given an opportunity to do something good, and been given all that was necessary to accomplish it, they should never let laziness or indifference hold them back. It is terrible to see someone be given something great, but then they throw away the opportunity. The Lord Jesus told His disciples, and us, a parable about just such a thing, a parable about the tragedy of wasted opportunities. Let’s see what the Lord has to teach us.
Jesus tells of a man who had to leave for an extended trip, and he leaves his goods to three of his servants in order for them to carry on his business, and make money for him. When he returns, he calls the three servants to see what they have done with what they were given. Two of them have multiplied the goods that they were given, but the third has not. The master commends and rewards the productive servants, but punishes the slothful and negligent servant.
What is the meaning of this parable? Just as with every parable Jesus told, He had an underlying meaning to teach, as the parables were not told just for entertainment. The man who left town going on a long journey represents the Lord Jesus. He departed the earth just at the dawn of the Church Age, and has promised to return at an undisclosed time. Professing believers are the servants who are given different levels of responsibilities. God has given each believer gifts to be used for His kingdom. These gifts include our abilities or talents, along with any personal wealth we may have.
In the parable we read that Jesus said that the goods were divided to each servant “according to his own ability” (vs. 15). God gives talents, skills and resources to us according to our abilities. He is the One who decides what is given and to whom, and no one receives more than they can handle. This way if they fail, their excuse cannot be that they were overwhelmed. The only reason to come back to Jesus with empty hands would be laziness, indifference, or even antipathy of the Master.
The man gave the goods to the servants, left, and was gone for a long time (vs. 19). They did not know when he would return, just as we do not know when Jesus will return. The wise and productive servants immediately set to work with the goods, doing what they could to increase what was given them. The third just stuck what he received in a hole (vs. 25). What has Jesus given you? Every Christian has something they can do for the Lord. Musical ability? Teaching ability? Good with children? Cooking? Sewing? Office or administrative skills? Did He bless you with a car? Legal ability? Each of these, and so much more, can all be used for His kingdom. Maybe you are not physically able to get out and do specific things, but if you have a phone or can write notes, you can encourage other believers. And everyone can pray. Jesus gave each of us some type of talent and ability, and He wishes us to use it for Him.
When Jesus returns, He wants to see that we have been faithful in what we’ve been given. We will have to give an account of what we have done with whatever He has entrusted to us. This is not referring to salvation, but with rewards. All who are faithful will have been fruitful to some degree. Jesus will reward those who were faithful in what they were given. Both of the faithful servants were given the same reward. Rewards are based on faithfulness, not in the size of the results (vs. 20-23).
When we invest our time and talent to serve God, we will be rewarded. If we squander what God has given us, and disobey Him, we will be punished. God rewards faithfulness. Was that third servant even a true believer? When the master returned, he cast the slothful servant out into outer darkness, which seems to imply that he was not. Christians should want to be serving the Lord. Don’t make excuses to avoid doing what God has called you to do. Instead, obey willingly. What we have is not really ours to begin with. We are caretakers of our talents and belongings, not owners.
One day each of us believers will be standing before the Judgment Seat of Christ (unbelievers will go before the Great White Throne of Judgment). We will be judged for what we have done, or not done, for the Lord. Again, this is not judging salvation. Instead it is for rewards. More than anything on that day, I want to hear the Lord Jesus say to me what was said to the first two servants in that parable. I want to hear Jesus say to me, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” Don’t you?
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