EXPOSITION:
In this famous parable of the talents, we observe that the master puts his servants in charge while he was away. Upon his return, he assessed each of the servant’s faithfulness and how fruitful they have been in making good use of the resources He gave them. From this parable, we learn the following lessons:
a. In order to be successful, the servants had to work hard.
b. The servants were given what they needed to achieve what they had been called to.
c. Each servant had a charge to please his master with his services
d. Each of these servants was held accountable by the master upon his return.
REFLECTION:
Right from the outset, man was wired to serve. In the Garden of Eden, God charged man to take care of the garden and till it. Just as the master expected the servants to do more with what they had been given, so does God expect us to channel what we have been given to productive ends to honour God and not ourselves.
The lazy servant did not waste the master’s money as some may interpret it. He gave the master exactly what he received. The master was not displeased by his decision to return the money but was displeased with his inability to put it to good use.
When God gives us a responsibility, He expects us to be productive. That is a service well-pleasing to Him.