Matthew 25:14-27 “For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.”

Text Matthew 24:50 “The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him,”

As one read the account of these three servants and their master; it doesn’t take long to make the correlation between the Lord’s story and our personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Our Risen Lord is in heaven as our Great High Priest and has left us to continue His work in His behalf. Each of us has been endowed with specific talents and abilities to serve in His behalf. While the talents and abilities differ from person to person; responsibility does not! The servant with the single talent soon discovered that less resources is no excuse for not working! There is one aspect of the story that we must ever be mindful of; “The master will return!” Jesus said, “the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them” (vs.19). There are two very important things to consider about the master’s return. The master’s return is unannounced! None of the servants knew the day the master would return until the day He arrived! Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again” (John 14:2-3). Secondly, personal judgment will follow the master’s return; “and reckoneth with them.” The word “reckoneth” means to compute an account, to consider a topic or motive. While they must all appear before the master, there was personal accountability. It is so easy to get caught-up in the everyday affairs of life that we fail to remember that it could be today; “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”