Anointed faithfulness

Anointed faithfulness (Matt 25:14)

The differences: Let’s start with the differences between this parable and the parable of the minas in Luke 19.

• In the parable of the ten minas each was given the same amount, one mina.
• In this parable thy are given different amounts depending on their ability.
• So this parable is about responsibility of ability and faithfulness.
• In the parable about the minas the emphasis was on the unexpected nature of the mater’s return.

Now what is a talent?  the Greek word talanta means money.

• Author RT Kendall argues that we should see this as anointing.
  • Quote Kendall says this, “The talent refers to one’s measure of responsibility in using a skill that God already has given them by common Grace. Responsibility + skill + God given grace = anointing

Verse 14 The word “man” used here is Anthropos, this is a very generic term for man. the man of course represents Jesus.

Verse 15 A talent is not an actual amount of money; It’s a unit of measure, by weight.

• It was the amount of weight a solider could carry on his back. (generally 75 pounds.)

• Verse 18 tells us that the amount given here was given in Silver.
• Given today’s price of gold, for the five talents, this would be just shy of 7.8 million dollars.
• The point is, this wasn’t five small coins, or two small coins, or one coin.
  • NLT ¹⁵ He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip
• This was a lot of money. 5 talents would have been 375 pounds of silver.
  • More than they could have carried away by themselves.
• Now it says that the “man” gave according to their ability.
  • What’s interesting here is the word ability in Greek is the word dunimas or the word for power.
  • He gave to each according to their power.
  • Why does that word seem familiar?
  • Luke 24:49 “I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power (Dunimas) from on high.”
  • 1Cor 4:26 the kingdom is not a matter of talk but of power
  • The word used here in this verse does refer more to ability.
• This is important to remember. “The man,” which is Jesus, knows how much each person could handle.
  • The Lord will entrust to us what He knows we can handle.

Verse 16 This servant wastes no time in getting to work, he goes at once, this is obedience and faithfulness.

• This is also a hundred-fold return. Not usually possible.
• Jesus is expecting the kind of return that will take super natural intervention.
• We have to do our part; but to get this kind of return it will require something else.
  • This is where partnership with the Holy Spirit comes into play.

Verse 17 Same story here.

Verse 18  in the Greek it’s clear that it was a bag of silver.

• Jump to verse 24 This servant has a very different response than the others.
• What are some observations we can make? I see at least five
• The first thing we see here is fear or misplaced awe. Fear based awe.
• The second thing we see is perspective:
• Third thing we see is minimal and misguided effort:
• The fourth thing we see is no stomach for risk, and misplaced risk:
• The fifth thing we see is no vision for a future:
• Verse 23 This servant receives nothing but praise from the master for his faithfulness and work.
• What’s interesting is the master refers to it “as a few things.” Even though this was 150 pounds of silver. This was a lot of money. But to the master this was a small amount. But it’s also a small amount compared to what he is now about to receive responsibility for.
• Then it ends with “share in your master’s happiness, which again stands in contrast with how the servant given one talent viewed the master.

Verse 25 He understood that the money wasn’t his, and that he was obligated to return it., the reason he buried it.

Verse 26 The words used here are interesting. Wicked and lazy.

• The servant has been unfaithful, and for that the master says he is wicked.
• And he wasn’t necessarily lazy, he did work hard digging that big hole,

Verse 27 There is a minimum effort the Lord is looking for from us in terms of the anointing He has given us.

• I suppose we could say that at least we have to put our anointing into the hands of the Holy Spirit and just be obedient to his leading.

Verse 28 Unlike the other two servants who were given more responsibility, this servant had what he did have taken away from Him.

Verse 29 Dr Grant Osborne suggests that based on the grammar in this verse Jesus is not just referring to final judgment but also to life now. This speaks to the need to repent now if anyone feels they are acting in a one talent way.

Verse 30 When Jesus returns will he find people, who are still faithful in serving Him and the Kingdom.

So what do I do, if I am a one talent person? How do I respond?

• Remember we are talking about anointing, responsibility and skill in the kingdom.

1. Repent of fear and pray to break it off.
2. Repent of Jealousy, pray for the success of those with 5 and 2.
3. Take action
4. Grow comfortable with risk through faith
5. Become generous in giving away the anointing you do have.
6. Let the Holy Spirit be your guide
7. Adopt an attitude of joy
8. Get a coach, ask a five or a two to coach you
9. Don’t Despise small beginnings
10. Don’t compare

11. Celebrate what you do have and what you have accomplished