The Talents Parable

[Senior Pastor]

Excerpt used for EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY: Short, C A. The Gospel Truth: “Once Saved, Always Saved” or “Salvation Can Be Lost”?. C. Short Publications. Kindle Edition.

In this parable, Jesus tells us about two types of servants. Both types of servants belonged to the same Master and both types were entrusted with “talents” to use for their Master’s interests. Let’s take one or two verses at a time:

Matt. 25:14-15, 19-30 14

Again, it [the kingdom of heaven] will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them.

Of course, the Master is Jesus and, therefore, His servants must be Christians, for they belonged to Him and He had entrusted His “talents” with them. Unbelievers are not considered servants of Jesus, nor does Jesus entrust spiritual gifts and abilities to unbelievers. The Master went on a journey and left His property in the hands of His servants, just as Jesus has gone into heaven and has entrusted the advancement of the gospel to us (Jude 3).

15 To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey…

A “talent” is a sum of money, but these talents can also be likened to gifted abilities Jesus has given to those who belong to Him. Every Christian has gifts…some have more and others less.

19 After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them…
20 The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. “Master,” he said, “you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.”
21 His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”

As Jesus promised, He will return. And the time will come when all Christians will have to give an account for what they have done with the gifts God has given them. In this parable, the man that was given “five talents” used the abundance that God had given him for His glory and therefore received great reward for his faithfulness. This will be the glorious outcome of those who love and serve Jesus while on this earth.

But what of the Christian who is less gifted…the two-talent Christian?

22 The man with the two talents also came. “Master,” he said, “you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.”
23 His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”

This man did not receive as many talents (or abilities) as the man with five talents, but he faithfully used the little he had for his Master's glory. Not all Christians have the same abilities and gifts and so Jesus does not expect the same out of each. But notice, in verse 23, that the man who received only two talents received the same reward as the man who had received five talents. Those who have less, but give and use what they have for Jesus' glory, will receive the same reward as those who have been given more. God rewards Christians not for the amount of ability they have, but for their faithfulness and love for Him.

But then there are those worldly servants who do not use even the little they have to serve Jesus:

24 Then the man who had received the one talent came. “Master,” he said, “I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed.
25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.”

This fellow had some flaky excuses for failing to serve Jesus. There will be those who have received Jesus, but then go through life doing their own thing, giving no thought to serving Him with what they have. Perhaps they have a false sense of security, thinking, “Well, I have received Jesus, so I am saved no matter what I do or don’t do. So why worry about serving the Lord?”

But what will Jesus say to those “worthless” (verse 30) servants who do not use even the little God has given them for His glory?

29 His master replied, “You wicked, lazy servant…
30 …throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

According to Jesus, Christians who fail to serve Him with even the little God has given them will not be welcomed into His eternal kingdom. Jesus calls this servant wicked and lazy, and then gives instructions to throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Some will protest this interpretation while claiming that the servant with one talent was never saved in the first place. However, those who do this will have to ignore the rest of God’s Word in order to make those Jesus calls His servants and entrusts with His talents unbelievers. They are Christians who have turned “wicked and lazy.”

Others will say, “Isn’t that teaching salvation by works?” They will have to talk to Jesus about that…He is the One who gave the parable. And I am sure He is not advocating salvation by works. Serving Jesus is not a work, but a love-response to the One who died for us. Jesus is just making it clear that those who belong to Him are expected to live for Him. Jesus paid a heavy price, not only so we could be forgiven, but also that we would love and serve Him:

1 Cor. 6:19-20
19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

Instead of the focus being on “once saved, always saved,” it should be on “once saved, always serve.” There can be no security for those who have received Jesus, and then do their own selfish, worldly thing.

Remember Peter’s words:
2 Peter 1:10-11
10 Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall,
11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

If doing things to make our calling and election sure is salvation by works, then the Lord’s Apostle taught salvation by works, and we know he did not. So what does this tell us? It tells us that not only are we saved by grace through faith aside from works, but we also are saved by grace through faith “to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Eph. 2:8-10
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—
9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

It amazes me how often verse ten is left out when the above verses are quoted. Once we are saved we must bear fruit for God. Good works are simply the fruit of maintaining a personal relationship with our Lord. He is our Master and we are His servants, therefore obedience, which produces a fruit-filled life, is simply a love-response to the King of Kings.

The servant with one talent had a sinful, lackadaisical attitude about serving Jesus, and the result was eternal rejection as a “wicked and lazy servant” (Matt. 25:26 and 30). Any Christian who chooses to serve the world and self over Jesus is in danger of the same outcome.

 

[-57]

Excerpt used for EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY: Short, C A. The Gospel Truth: “Once Saved, Always Saved” or “Salvation Can Be Lost”?. C. Short Publications. Kindle Edition.

In this parable, Jesus tells us about two types of servants. Both types of servants belonged to the same Master and both types were entrusted with “talents” to use for their Master’s interests. Let’s take one or two verses at a time:

Matt. 25:14-15, 19-30 14

Again, it [the kingdom of heaven] will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them.

Of course, the Master is Jesus and, therefore, His servants must be Christians, for they belonged to Him and He had entrusted His “talents” with them. Unbelievers are not considered servants of Jesus, nor does Jesus entrust spiritual gifts and abilities to unbelievers. The Master went on a journey and left His property in the hands of His servants, just as Jesus has gone into heaven and has entrusted the advancement of the gospel to us (Jude 3).

15 To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey…

A “talent” is a sum of money, but these talents can also be likened to gifted abilities Jesus has given to those who belong to Him. Every Christian has gifts…some have more and others less.

19 After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them…
20 The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. “Master,” he said, “you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.”
21 His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”

As Jesus promised, He will return. And the time will come when all Christians will have to give an account for what they have done with the gifts God has given them. In this parable, the man that was given “five talents” used the abundance that God had given him for His glory and therefore received great reward for his faithfulness. This will be the glorious outcome of those who love and serve Jesus while on this earth.

But what of the Christian who is less gifted…the two-talent Christian?

22 The man with the two talents also came. “Master,” he said, “you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.”
23 His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”

This man did not receive as many talents (or abilities) as the man with five talents, but he faithfully used the little he had for his Master's glory. Not all Christians have the same abilities and gifts and so Jesus does not expect the same out of each. But notice, in verse 23, that the man who received only two talents received the same reward as the man who had received five talents. Those who have less, but give and use what they have for Jesus' glory, will receive the same reward as those who have been given more. God rewards Christians not for the amount of ability they have, but for their faithfulness and love for Him.

But then there are those worldly servants who do not use even the little they have to serve Jesus:

24 Then the man who had received the one talent came. “Master,” he said, “I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed.
25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.”

This fellow had some flaky excuses for failing to serve Jesus. There will be those who have received Jesus, but then go through life doing their own thing, giving no thought to serving Him with what they have. Perhaps they have a false sense of security, thinking, “Well, I have received Jesus, so I am saved no matter what I do or don’t do. So why worry about serving the Lord?”

But what will Jesus say to those “worthless” (verse 30) servants who do not use even the little God has given them for His glory?

29 His master replied, “You wicked, lazy servant…
30 …throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

According to Jesus, Christians who fail to serve Him with even the little God has given them will not be welcomed into His eternal kingdom. Jesus calls this servant wicked and lazy, and then gives instructions to throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Some will protest this interpretation while claiming that the servant with one talent was never saved in the first place. However, those who do this will have to ignore the rest of God’s Word in order to make those Jesus calls His servants and entrusts with His talents unbelievers. They are Christians who have turned “wicked and lazy.”

Others will say, “Isn’t that teaching salvation by works?” They will have to talk to Jesus about that…He is the One who gave the parable. And I am sure He is not advocating salvation by works. Serving Jesus is not a work, but a love-response to the One who died for us. Jesus is just making it clear that those who belong to Him are expected to live for Him. Jesus paid a heavy price, not only so we could be forgiven, but also that we would love and serve Him:

1 Cor. 6:19-20
19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

Instead of the focus being on “once saved, always saved,” it should be on “once saved, always serve.” There can be no security for those who have received Jesus, and then do their own selfish, worldly thing.

Remember Peter’s words:
2 Peter 1:10-11
10 Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall,
11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

If doing things to make our calling and election sure is salvation by works, then the Lord’s Apostle taught salvation by works, and we know he did not. So what does this tell us? It tells us that not only are we saved by grace through faith aside from works, but we also are saved by grace through faith “to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Eph. 2:8-10
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—
9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

It amazes me how often verse ten is left out when the above verses are quoted. Once we are saved we must bear fruit for God. Good works are simply the fruit of maintaining a personal relationship with our Lord. He is our Master and we are His servants, therefore obedience, which produces a fruit-filled life, is simply a love-response to the King of Kings.

The servant with one talent had a sinful, lackadaisical attitude about serving Jesus, and the result was eternal rejection as a “wicked and lazy servant” (Matt. 25:26 and 30). Any Christian who chooses to serve the world and self over Jesus is in danger of the same outcome.

I think 1 Cor. 3 speaks of our talents....or works and how they will be judged at the Judgement Seat of Christ.
1 Col 3:10 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. 11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

How do you look at the verse above light of what you posted?

 

[Al Touthentop]

I think 1 Cor. 3 speaks of our talents....or works and how they will be judged at the Judgement Seat of Christ.
1 Col 3:10 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. 11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

How do you look at the verse above light of what you posted?

The "work" being talked about there are those who were converted through the preaching of the workers, and built into a building, not the deeds of general Christians. This means some church members, who have not been taught the foundational principles of Christ, are wood, hay and straw, where those who were taught with the proper foundational principles are gold, silver, and precious stones.

 

[Senior Pastor]

Excellent question! Let's exam that closely.

I know and love many sincere Christians who have embraced the once saved, always saved doctrine. However, I have noticed that, as a result of this belief, they inadvertently misinterpret certain passages that contradict what they believe.

This is a serious problem. Inaccurately teaching God’s Word for any reason can have serious consequences for those who teach and for the hearer. So the big question is: “What will become of sincere Christians who teach an inaccurate gospel?”

The answer to this question is found in 1 Corinthians 3:9-15. The very verses you quoted. We will take one verse at a time to gain the most accurate understanding of God’s intention for this passage:
1 Cor. 3:9-15 9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.

Having been a general contractor before becoming a pastor, I can relate to the importance of how a builder builds and the quality of the material he uses. How one builds and the quality of materials has a huge effect on the strength of the building. If a builder does shabby work with inferior material, that which he builds will not last as it should.

And so, in the above verse, Paul starts this passage off by pointing out that those who teach God’s Word are God’s fellow workers who are called to build up “God’s building,”
which consists of the body of Christ. Therefore, the Apostle says:

10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds.
11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Paul says that, by the grace of God, he laid the foundation as an expert builder. In other words, he taught those who had come to Jesus as carefully as an expert builder would build a house. And Paul was careful to lay the solid foundation of Jesus Christ, pointing to Him as the only source of salvation and life. All they would learn and do from this point would come with a continual focus on Jesus as their Master and Savior.

However, Paul knew that after he had established this Divine Foundation, others would have to continue the building process, and it was important that they built with good, solid, non-compromising teaching. This would enable these believers to stand strong through the trials and temptations of life…trials and temptations that are sure to come against all who are “God’s building.”

So, concerning this foundation, Paul said, “someone else is building on it, but each one should be careful how he builds.” Paul’s concern was not that these Christians would not be taught…his concern was how accurately other Christian workers would teach them. And so Paul says:

12 If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw,

Notice that Paul lists different materials, starting with the best and working down to the worst and weakest. In other words, those who teach Christians must be careful to teach precisely what God’s Word says. Pure and accurate teaching would be “gold, silver or costly stones” while inaccurate teaching would be “wood, hay or straw.” The quality of each person’s teaching is of eternal importance because:

13 his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work.

The “day” will come when the quality of each person’s teaching (“his work”) will be shown for what it is. It will be shown by whether it gave spiritual strength or weakness to those being taught.

It is important to know that the word “Day” in the above verse, although capitalized, is not referring to the “Day of Judgment.” Paul cannot be referring to the Day of Judgment here, because the Day of Judgment will result in the eternal fire of punishment. However, the day spoken of above is a day that “fire will test the quality of each man’s work.”

A day of testing is a lot different than a day of judgment. It is more like the day of evil spoken of in Ephesians 6:13, which is a time that will test the strength of Christians as they do spiritual battle. Well-taught, faithful Christians will be able to stand in the face of such trails and temptations. Once a person is out of this body, the times of testing are over and all that is left is eternal life or eternal death.

Every Christian we teach will face trials and temptations, and the material we build with will determine how well they will stand up against life’s storms and Satan’s deceptions and temptations. Teachers who build with gold, silver and costly-stone teachings are working with God to develop strong Christians who will stand firm when trials and temptations come. But teachers who build with wood, hay or straw will be the cause of many Christians falling in times of testing. So Paul tells us:

14 If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.

When those who have been taught with the pure, unadulterated Word of God survive the fiery trials of life, those who taught them will receive their reward.

But what of those who teach with wood, hay and straw? What of those sincere teachers who taught the once saved, always saved doctrine to believers who took it as a license to sin and ended up falling away in times of testing?

15 If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.

Now that’s a sobering thought. Paul says that inaccurate teaching can actually cause what Christian workers have built to be burned up. Now, remember that the builders (teachers) are called to build Christians (verse 9-12).

Many who have embraced the once saved, always saved doctrine will not do well when faced with fiery trials and temptations. Instead of repenting in the fear of the Lord, some will use this doctrine to comfort themselves in their sin. Believing they cannot forfeit or lose their salvation, they live in a false sense of security.

Those who use the once saved, always saved doctrine in this way are headed for a tragic eternity. The Bible warns that they are crucifying the Son of God all over again (Heb. 6:4-8). Jesus also warned that those who fail to bear good fruit will be cut off from Him, thrown into the fire and burned. This is a terrible loss that can often be avoided by teaching the truth.

In the light of the Scriptures, I must consider the once saved, always saved doctrine as “wood, hay or straw” teaching. Of course, there are many Christians who have embraced this doctrine who will fall when tested, but get up again and continue in the Lord. But then there are those who, because of this doctrine, will continue in their fallen state and will be “burned up” and lost forever.

How will that affect those sincere Christians who taught them this “straw” doctrine? Can you imagine the feelings of the sincere pastor, teacher, or Christian worker who had been teaching the once saved, always saved doctrine when he finds out that souls were lost for eternity because of what he taught or failed to teach? Yes, “he himself will be saved,” but, indeed, it will be “as one escaping through the flames” (verses 14-15).

James tells us, “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly” (James 3:1). How careful those who teach should be to share only the pure, unadulterated Word of God with God’s people.

What every Christian does with God’s truth can make the difference between eternal life and eternal death, which brings us to a most important question…“What would God have us do with what we have learned from His Word concerning the security of the believer?”

 

[Dave-W]

Salvation is by covenant and that entails relationship. Any time you try to reduce a relationship to a formula such as
‘once saved always saved” or “salvation by works,” you run into trouble. Relationships are not that easily defined.

 

[1213]

...Others will say, “Isn’t that teaching salvation by works?” They will have to talk to Jesus about that…...

I think you have good ideas. I just add this. It is not about works, but about faithfulness (loyalty).

…Well done, good and faithful servant…
Matt. 25:21

And that is connected to these:

These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.
Mat. 25:46

Behold, his soul is puffed up. It is not upright in him, but the righteous will live by his faith.
Habakkuk 2:4

 

[-57]

Senior Pastor, It seems as if you have the understanding each mans "work" can be replaced with what he "teaches" or his "doctrine".

In your reply you said.."But what of those who teach with wood, hay and straw? What of those sincere teachers who taught the once saved, always saved doctrine to believers who took it as a license to sin and ended up falling away in times of testing?"

To be honest I have heard this presented many times but have never heard anyone say...I'm saved and can't lose my salvation so I'll go on living my life as a "Carnal Christian". Maybe you have.

So, what of them? They are deceived christians or the concept of 1st John 2:19 comes to mind...They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.

One has to ask, were they really believers if they thought they could live the life of a "Carnal Christian"? Yes it would be a tragic ending one thought they were saved and couldn't lose it when they never had salvation at all.

For the true believer I don't think deception has the ability to snatch you from Christ hand.

As christians we often fail the test. Sometimes we fail hard. Real hard. Other times we stumble...repent...and get back into the light.

To be honest I don't think soul is lost because of what a preacher teaches and then a man does. Why would a persons soul be dependent upon what a preacher teaches? Now, I'm not saying God can't open a heart Lydia style and use a preacher as His tool to save someone....but in the end I don't think God is going to say to the preacher, or teacher if you only had presented the correct gospel that man would've been saved.

 

[Senior Pastor]

As Christians we often fail the test. Sometimes we fail hard. Real hard. Other times we stumble...repent...and get back into the light.

SO SO TRUE! Being a Christian is anything, but easy. Thank goodness for the love of Jesus Christ who will take us back time and time again when we repent, confess our sin and ask to be forgiven. The very fact that a Christian realizes this and repents it proof it is not too late, but the farther the ship goes from the harbor the less likely it is to find its way back home. Given enough time Hebrews 6 comes to mind where the Christian won't come back, refuses to repent, has a conscience seared with a hot iron, has developed a reprobate mind and that is a VERY dangerous place to be. I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend all please listen to Billy Grahams sermon on "Conscience!"

 

[Charlie24]

Excerpt used for EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY: Short, C A. The Gospel Truth: “Once Saved, Always Saved” or “Salvation Can Be Lost”?. C. Short Publications. Kindle Edition.

In this parable, Jesus tells us about two types of servants. Both types of servants belonged to the same Master and both types were entrusted with “talents” to use for their Master’s interests. Let’s take one or two verses at a time:

Matt. 25:14-15, 19-30 14

Again, it [the kingdom of heaven] will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them.

Of course, the Master is Jesus and, therefore, His servants must be Christians, for they belonged to Him and He had entrusted His “talents” with them. Unbelievers are not considered servants of Jesus, nor does Jesus entrust spiritual gifts and abilities to unbelievers. The Master went on a journey and left His property in the hands of His servants, just as Jesus has gone into heaven and has entrusted the advancement of the gospel to us (Jude 3).

15 To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey…

A “talent” is a sum of money, but these talents can also be likened to gifted abilities Jesus has given to those who belong to Him. Every Christian has gifts…some have more and others less.

19 After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them…
20 The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. “Master,” he said, “you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.”
21 His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”

As Jesus promised, He will return. And the time will come when all Christians will have to give an account for what they have done with the gifts God has given them. In this parable, the man that was given “five talents” used the abundance that God had given him for His glory and therefore received great reward for his faithfulness. This will be the glorious outcome of those who love and serve Jesus while on this earth.

But what of the Christian who is less gifted…the two-talent Christian?

22 The man with the two talents also came. “Master,” he said, “you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.”
23 His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”

This man did not receive as many talents (or abilities) as the man with five talents, but he faithfully used the little he had for his Master's glory. Not all Christians have the same abilities and gifts and so Jesus does not expect the same out of each. But notice, in verse 23, that the man who received only two talents received the same reward as the man who had received five talents. Those who have less, but give and use what they have for Jesus' glory, will receive the same reward as those who have been given more. God rewards Christians not for the amount of ability they have, but for their faithfulness and love for Him.

But then there are those worldly servants who do not use even the little they have to serve Jesus:

24 Then the man who had received the one talent came. “Master,” he said, “I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed.
25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.”

This fellow had some flaky excuses for failing to serve Jesus. There will be those who have received Jesus, but then go through life doing their own thing, giving no thought to serving Him with what they have. Perhaps they have a false sense of security, thinking, “Well, I have received Jesus, so I am saved no matter what I do or don’t do. So why worry about serving the Lord?”

But what will Jesus say to those “worthless” (verse 30) servants who do not use even the little God has given them for His glory?

29 His master replied, “You wicked, lazy servant…
30 …throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

According to Jesus, Christians who fail to serve Him with even the little God has given them will not be welcomed into His eternal kingdom. Jesus calls this servant wicked and lazy, and then gives instructions to throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Some will protest this interpretation while claiming that the servant with one talent was never saved in the first place. However, those who do this will have to ignore the rest of God’s Word in order to make those Jesus calls His servants and entrusts with His talents unbelievers. They are Christians who have turned “wicked and lazy.”

Others will say, “Isn’t that teaching salvation by works?” They will have to talk to Jesus about that…He is the One who gave the parable. And I am sure He is not advocating salvation by works. Serving Jesus is not a work, but a love-response to the One who died for us. Jesus is just making it clear that those who belong to Him are expected to live for Him. Jesus paid a heavy price, not only so we could be forgiven, but also that we would love and serve Him:

1 Cor. 6:19-20
19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

Instead of the focus being on “once saved, always saved,” it should be on “once saved, always serve.” There can be no security for those who have received Jesus, and then do their own selfish, worldly thing.

Remember Peter’s words:
2 Peter 1:10-11
10 Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall,
11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

If doing things to make our calling and election sure is salvation by works, then the Lord’s Apostle taught salvation by works, and we know he did not. So what does this tell us? It tells us that not only are we saved by grace through faith aside from works, but we also are saved by grace through faith “to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Eph. 2:8-10
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—
9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

It amazes me how often verse ten is left out when the above verses are quoted. Once we are saved we must bear fruit for God. Good works are simply the fruit of maintaining a personal relationship with our Lord. He is our Master and we are His servants, therefore obedience, which produces a fruit-filled life, is simply a love-response to the King of Kings.

The servant with one talent had a sinful, lackadaisical attitude about serving Jesus, and the result was eternal rejection as a “wicked and lazy servant” (Matt. 25:26 and 30). Any Christian who chooses to serve the world and self over Jesus is in danger of the same outcome.

Excellent sermon Pastor, I'm looking forward to hearing more of your messages.