relationships (Matthew 25:14-30) Having the Deepest Adoration

(Matthew 25:14-46)

14 “For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. 16 The one who had received the five talents immediately went and did business with them, and earned five more talents. 17 In the same way the one who had received the two talents earned two more. 18 But he who received the one talent went away and dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money.

19 “Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. 20 The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have earned five more talents.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter the joy of your master.’

22 “Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, ‘Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have earned two more talents.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter the joy of your master.’

24 “Now the one who had received the one talent also came up and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed. 25 And I was afraid, so I went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you still have what is yours.’

26 “But his master answered and said to him, ‘You worthless, lazy slave! Did you know that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter seed? 27 Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest. 28 Therefore: take the talent away from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’

29 “For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. 30 And throw the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

TODAY'S TAKEAWAY:

Studying this passage closely, and putting it into context of the entire chapter, as well as the entire Bible, helps to correctly understand God's truths.  The necessary truths to reference here are:

• we are all born as slaves to sin
• God desires that we all come to know Him so that He may save us and bless us, but it is our choice
• once we become believers, WE CANNOT LOSE OUR SALVATION (this is a critical truth to keep in mind!  John 6:37, 10:28–29;  Romans 8:30, 38–39;  Ephesians 1:13–14, 4:30, Philippians 1:6)
• as believers, even we ourselves cannot undo our salvation (Romans 11:29 says "for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable")
• as believers, we have been set free from the forced slavery of sin
• as believers, we become "bondslaves" (voluntary servants who are permanently devoted and dedicated to serving) the Lord
• the Lord is our loving, benevolent, generous, helpful and absolutely fair Master
• as believers, the Lord gives us suitable gifts and equips and strengthens us for the things He instructs us to do, as well as for the specific things that He calls us to do
• the Lord will give different gifts to different believers, and some believers will get several gifts, but all gifts and all believers are important in God's kingdom!
• the Lord has a purpose and plan for everyone, and all that we need is to have a willing heart, and our obedience will be the outpouring of our love for Him
• we are never to serve out of fear, selfishness or pride, our only motive in serving God should be with agape love, in His righteousness and strength, all to His glory
• for those believers who are unwilling to use their gifts to serve, will miss out on the Lord's blessings here on earth
• as we serve the Lord here on earth, He will bless us and see to our needs, even and especially as we may suffer persecution in His name
• as our treasures should be stored up in heaven, when we see Him face to face, the Lord will judge and reward us for our good deeds done with righteous motives

There are two ways one can interpret this passage, but I believe the latter is the correct interpretation.  The first way is to consider that all of the slaves are believers.  The third slave is the believer who is unwilling to serve the Lord.  The first believer who is most zealous in serving the Lord, will typically be the one to pick up the slack, and they will be blessed and rewarded for doing so.  

The third slave (if we consider them to be a believer) would not lose their salvation, but God will discipline His children.  We should know that when we stray away from the Lord, our relationship with Him will suffer.  Even though a believer cannot lose the Holy Spirit, we can definitely quench the Holy Spirit.  And when God's Spirit mourns within us, we will experience unrest and sadness in our souls!  So while this way to interpret these verses is still true...

The very last verse says that the third slave is thrown into outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.  This is typically the description of hell, which is a place that is completely void of God and all of His blessings.  This would indicate that the third slave never became a believer.  So in this interpretation, this is the person who has rejected and refused God's love and salvation.  

It is clear that this slave never knew God personally, because this person saw Him as someone who was "a hard man" who selfishly benefitted off the backs of others.  As well, this slave was "afraid" of the Lord.  And by not becoming a believer, not wanting God to be part of their life, that person is sent to a place that is void of God.

Those who love and know the Lord Jesus personally, "fear" Him.  This fear is a deep respect, so much so that we cannot help but be in awe of the Lord.  And in this grateful adoration and respectful zeal, we will want to serve Him, not because we have to, but because we want to!!!