Parable of the Wicked and Unprofitable Servant
For the kingdom [government] of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.
After a long time, the Lord returned for the servants to give account of how they managed the Lord’s money - this is symbolic of the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10).
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 [everything belongs to God]. So, take the talent from him and give it to him who has ten talents.
For everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 25:14-30).
When those who did not fulfill God’s purpose in their lives, when they see the scars and nails prints that Jesus so innocently suffered through the agonizing pain to give them eternal life, when they look at Him and see the eternal scars they will crying and gritting their teeth. God is so good; He will wipe the tears from their eyes.
These are keywords that are important to help the readers to have a clearer understanding.
Hard man (strict) – The servant knew his Lord was strict, therefore he was using an excuse for doing what he was called to do.
Outer darkness- The kingdom (government) of heaven for those who are faithful and the will rule in God’s government. The ones who do not receive rewards still have responsibilities; they will be lords, not kings. But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 8:12). This confirms that outer darkness is not hell, as some scholars say, because saints don't go to hell.
Beaten with many stripes- And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes (Luke 12:47). If the servant with the one talent had been faithful, his reward would have been as great as the servants with five and two talents.
Why? Because God knows how much all His children are able to handle, and it does not mean that one is better than the other. That’s why we should never be covetous or jealous of someone else’s gift.
When you’re serving the Lord, He’s strict, but not overbearing (unpleasantly domineering). It has to be one hundred per cent God’s way. He has a specific way for us to do everything. A good earthly parent is strict with their children. He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly (Proverbs 13:24); this is training them the right way (Proverbs 22:6).
I share with all those whom the Spirit of God opens the door of opportunity to tell them how important it is for them to know what their specific assignment is. It is going to be a sad time when they before Christ speechless because they were not prepared to meet our KING (Bridegroom).
Note- When Jesus was on the scene, He used the word talent in this parable which would be the same as gifts and whatever He gave us to manage during the church age.
Next week, there will be more of Jesus' parables (an earthly story with a heavenly meaning) pertaining to those who are born again.
Ps. If anyone thinks my messages are strict, wait till you stand to be judged by Christ- God doesn’t play.
Betty A. Burnett ~ burnettministries.org
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