Title: Faithful Worker
Contents
Matthew 25:14-23
This is the second parable among the three parables (parable of the ten virgins, the parable of the talents, and the parable of the sheep and the goats)
The parable of the ten virgins is a parable of preparation, but this parable compares faithfulness to a mission. If the former is called inner faith, this parable can be said to be a parable of outward actions. 1 Peter 1:7) Talent can be seen as a gift.
When Jesus ascended into heaven, he gave the gospel mission to all of us from the disciples to this day. As a faithful worker, loyalty does not depend on the abundance of gifts, but rather on the conscience. Loyalty for the grace received.
The first owner entrusted the mission according to his talents (gifts).(14-15)
The master regards his servants as his co-workers and acts on behalf of him with talents (a unit of weight, a unit of currency in ancient Judea where the weight of metal was used as a means of currency. One talent is 6,000 denarii, the average worker's daily wage, and the worker If you calculate your daily wage by 100,000 won, one talent is 60 million won in Korean currency today.)
Five talents of gold (about 300 million won), two talents (about 120 million won), and a month of gold (about 60 million won) were distributed separately to each person. It's different because we've tailored it to each individual's talents. This shows that people have different innate abilities.
Therefore, people with many talents (gifts) are obliged to do more for Hana Nam. Luke 12:48 To everyone who has been given much, much will be given to him, and from the one entrusted with much, much will be asked of him. As a faithful worker, you must not complain, but silently obey and put into practice whatever is entrusted to you.
Second, faithful workers must be faithful to their duties (16-23).
No matter how much you know, if you don't use it well, you make the position of the person entrusted with the job embarrassing.
First, the servant (the minister) who received the five talents went to Pharaoh, traded with it, and left another five talents.
To do business means to invest in farming or a business that will make a profit. The talents were given on the premise that they would be able to bear them according to their strictly measured talent (verse 15). What is important in the text is not how many talents you have left, but whether you have worked or not.
The servant who received a month's rent dug the land instead of trading and hid his master's money. The reason was because they were afraid and hid them in the ground (verses 24-25). In other words, they were afraid that they would fail in business.
Those who bury their precious talents entrusted to them by God and only complain and groan are fools like a servant who received a month’s rent.
A person who neglects his/her duties cannot receive praise. As we have entrusted you with our talents, we must follow God's will and fulfill our mission.
Third, faithful workers are rewarded and praised (verses 21-23).
The master who entrusted the talent gave praise and rewards according to his faithfulness. “Well done, good and faithful servant, you have been faithful over little things, and I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.
This reward is 1. to entrust many things
2. To participate in the enjoyment of the master. Servants were rewarded with material wealth and equal status with their masters.
The reward we will enjoy in heaven cannot be compared with the joy we receive in this world. Please do not bury your talents in evangelism and service and use them well.
Conclusion We have been appointed by God as faithful workers. I hope that each of you will do your best without complaining about many things, receive what you have worked for, and receive praise and rewards.