A Parable on Giving

In Matthew 25:14-30 Jesus tells a parable about giving that illustrates many of the principles about giving in Exodus 35-36. It is known as the “parable of the talents” and it tells the story of three servants who are given money to use wisely while their master is away on a journey. One servant receives five talents, another two talents, and another one talent. The first two use their money wisely and earn a greater return from it, resulting in praise from their master. Meanwhile, the third squanders his talent by burying it in the ground, resulting in rebuke from his master.

There are three lessons on giving from this parable. First, we are each given different skills and opportunities to steward well, and we should not compare ourselves to others who have abilities that are different than ours, or bank accounts that are larger than ours. Second, we should not be like the foolish third servant who refused to use his talent wisely; a refusal to use our time, talent, and treasure for the kingdom of God reveals a heart that is not truly submitted to God.
 
The third and final lesson may be the most important, and it has to do with the reason that the third servant foolishly buries his talent. We are told that this servant perceived his master to be a “hard man” (v.25), one who desired to punish more than reward. This servant’s inaccurate perception of his master caused him to be a poor steward. In the end, what motivates us toward wise stewardship is an accurate understanding of the Lord, who has gone to great lengths to bring us into right relationship with himself through Christ. As this truth grips our hearts more and more deeply, we are motivated to give of ourselves more and more sacrificially.