IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

The Parable of the Tenants

Date: Nov. 24, 2015

Passage

Matthew 25:14-30 

The Parable of the Talents

14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Daily Bread

Key Verse: Matthew 25:21

His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

First, well done, good and faithful servant (14-23). The kingdom of heaven is like a man going on a journey, who entrusted his property to three servants--each according to his ability. Two servants took what was entrusted to them and put it to work. Each worked hard and doubled what he had received. When the master returned, he settled accounts with his servants. He said to the two servants, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" He rewarded them with greater responsibility, more opportunity for service, and a share in the master's happiness.

Second, the wicked and lazy servant (24-30). The third servant took no chances. He hid his money in a hole in the ground. He seemed wise, but he was only fearful and lazy. When he appeared self-righteously with his one talent and his excuses, his master was furious. God wants his servants to use the time, talents and the life he has given us to serve him and to serve our own generation. We must live by faith, not by fear.

Prayer: Prayer: Lord, help me to be faithful in small things and to put my talents to work.

One Word: Be a faithful and good servant.

Daily Bread

God is Our Deliverer

Psalm 78:40-72

Key Verse: 78:65

Then the Lord awoke as from sleep,
like a strong man shouting because of wine.

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