Faithful Stewardship: Living Ready for Christ’s Return

Today’s passage from Matthew 25:14-30, the Parable of the Talents, calls us to a life of readiness and faithful stewardship as we await Christ’s return. Jesus paints a picture of a master entrusting his servants with significant resources, each according to their ability, and then departing for a long journey. The master’s return brings a time of reckoning, where each servant must give account for what they have done with what was entrusted to them.

This parable is not just about being watchful, but about being actively engaged in the work of the kingdom. The faithful servants, though given different amounts, both doubled what they received and were commended with the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your master.” Their reward was not only more responsibility but also deeper fellowship and joy with their master. This points to the reality that, while all believers are saved by grace, our faithfulness in stewarding God’s gifts—our time, abilities, resources, and opportunities—matters for eternity. The Lord knows our hearts and motives, and He promises real, though mysterious, rewards for those who serve Him with zeal and love.

In contrast, the third servant, motivated by fear and mistrust, buried his talent and did nothing with it. His actions reveal a heart that does not truly know or trust the master. Jesus makes clear that this servant represents those who, though perhaps outwardly associated with God’s people, have not truly responded to the gospel. They may have spiritual privileges and exposure, but without genuine faith and fruit, they remain outside the kingdom and face eternal loss.

The parable is a sober reminder that there will be a day of accounting for all. The most important “work” is to believe in Christ, and true belief will always result in a life that bears fruit for Him. For those who have not yet trusted Christ, the call is urgent: do not delay, for there will come a time when it is too late. For those who have, the encouragement is to serve the Lord wholeheartedly, knowing that He sees, He rewards, and He invites us into His everlasting joy.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Readiness is active, not passive True readiness for Christ’s return is not just waiting, but working—faithfully stewarding what God has entrusted to us. It is possible to be so focused on anticipation that we neglect action, or so busy with activity that we lose sight of hope. The Lord calls us to a balanced life: watching and working, longing and laboring, all for His glory. [40:10]
• 2. Faithfulness is measured by stewardship, not results God gives each of us different gifts, opportunities, and resources, and He expects us to use them according to our ability. The commendation “well done” is not based on how much we produce compared to others, but on our faithfulness with what we’ve been given. The Lord knows our hearts and motives, and He delights in faithful, wholehearted service, regardless of the scale. [49:58]
• 3. Unbelief leads to fruitlessness and loss The servant who buried his talent did so out of fear and mistrust, revealing a heart that did not truly know the master. Outward association with God’s people is not enough; genuine faith is evidenced by a life that responds to the gospel and bears fruit. Those who persist in unbelief, despite spiritual privilege, will ultimately face separation from God and eternal loss. [54:33]
• 4. Eternal rewards are real, but Christ Himself is our greatest joy Scripture teaches that there will be real rewards for faithful service—responsibility, opportunities, and joy in the kingdom. Yet the greatest reward is to be with Christ, to enter into His joy, and to share eternal fellowship with Him and His people. Our motivation is not just future reward, but love and gratitude for the One who gave everything for us. [52:04]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:10] - Baptisms and Church Family Updates
• [03:30] - Operation Christmas Child and Missions
• [06:45] - Christmas Offering for Philippines and Cuba
• [10:20] - Introduction to Matthew 25
• [13:00] - Parables of Readiness and Watchfulness
• [16:30] - The Parable of the Talents: Context
• [20:15] - What Are “Talents”?
• [23:00] - The Tragedy of Wasted Opportunity
• [27:40] - Readiness: Waiting and Working
• [30:28] - Faithful Servants: Zeal and Stewardship
• [36:23] - The Unfaithful Servant: Fear and Unbelief
• [45:29] - Rewards, Motives, and the Judgment Seat
• [52:04] - Entering the Joy of the Master
• [59:36] - The Consequences of Unbelief
• [63:51] - “Too Late” Poem and Final Appeal
• [67:06] - Serving with Zeal and Joy
• [70:07] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Bible Reading

Matthew 25:14-30 (ESV) — > “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 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.’ 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.’ 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.’ 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.’ 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, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 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? 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. So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 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. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”

Observation Questions

1. What did the master entrust to each of his servants, and how did he decide how much to give each one? ([38:12])
2. What actions did the first two servants take with what they were given, and what was the master’s response to them? ([45:29])
3. How did the third servant respond differently, and what reason did he give for his actions? ([52:04])
4. What was the consequence for the third servant at the end of the parable? ([59:36])

Interpretation Questions

1. According to the sermon, what do the “talents” in the parable represent for us today? How does this shape our understanding of what God has entrusted to us? ([38:12])
2. The master’s commendation, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” was given to both the five-talent and two-talent servants. What does this suggest about how God measures faithfulness? ([49:58])
3. The third servant’s fear and mistrust led him to hide his talent. What does this reveal about his relationship with the master, and what does it teach us about the connection between faith and action? ([54:33])
4. The sermon mentioned that outward association with God’s people is not enough. What does genuine faith look like according to this parable? ([54:33])

Application Questions

1. The sermon emphasized that readiness for Christ’s return is active, not passive. In what areas of your life do you find yourself “waiting” but not “working” for God’s kingdom? What is one step you could take this week to be more actively engaged? ([40:10])
2. God gives each of us different gifts, resources, and opportunities. Are there any abilities, resources, or opportunities in your life that you have been neglecting or “burying”? What would it look like to use them for God’s purposes? ([38:12])
3. The third servant’s actions were motivated by fear and mistrust. Are there areas where fear or a wrong view of God is holding you back from serving or stepping out in faith? How can you address those fears? ([52:04])
4. The parable warns that spiritual privilege without genuine faith leads to loss. Have you ever relied on your background, church involvement, or knowledge instead of a real relationship with Christ? How can you move from “association” to “genuine faith”? ([54:33])
5. The sermon said that faithfulness is measured by stewardship, not results. Do you ever compare your “fruit” or impact to others? How can you focus more on being faithful with what God has given you, rather than comparing yourself? ([49:58])
6. The greatest reward is to be with Christ and enter into His joy. How does this truth affect your motivation for serving God? Are there ways you can remind yourself that Christ Himself is your ultimate reward? ([52:04])
7. The parable ends with a sober warning about being “too late.” Is there someone in your life who needs to hear the gospel or see the love of Christ through you? What is one practical thing you can do this week to reach out to them? ([01:03:51])