1. MONEY TESTS OUR FAITHFULNESS

The Lord Jesus talked most about God the Father. His second most talked about subject was money. Obviously then, money is an important subject.

The Lord taught the need for His people to be expectant and watchful in view of His second coming. In the parable of the wedding feast one of the main points He clearly makes is that the wise will be ready no matter how long the wait for His return may be (Matthew 25:1-13 ).

With the need for wise readiness settled, the Lord goes on to instruct, in the Parable of the Talents, how He expects each one of His people to actively use what He has entrusted in His interest (Matthew 25:14-30 ). Good and faithful servants will take their responsibility seriously, using the funds in wise stewardship for the Master, and His intentions.

Until Christ returns, every accountable believer should with excitement realise that they can please the Master in using the resources He has blessed them with for His pleasure, and what is more, they will be rewarded for their faithfulness. How we handle our money is one of the ways that tests our faithfulness.

It is important to remember that a parable usually has one main idea. This parable stresses working faithfully for the Master in our stewardship.

Matthew 25:14 "... who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. "

God owns all things - He owns us - all we have is intended to bring Him glory. We have skills, talents, possessions, money entrusted to us by God. We are responsible and accountable for all that He has entrusted; our time, talent and treasure are His.

Matthew 25:15 "And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; ..."

The unequal distribution of the Master's money has to do with natural ability of trading capacity. Some are able to handle more, some less. God faithfully assesses our ability. Accountability is only for that which we have ability. Each has a lifetime's worth of the Master's money to invest.

Matthew 25:16-25 "Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. ¹⁷ And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. ¹⁸ But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. ¹⁹ After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. ²⁰ 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. ²¹ 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. ²² 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. ²³ 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. ²⁴ 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: ²⁵ And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine."

The time for settlement of accounts came. How they handled the money entrusted to them revealed the truth of who they were - their characters. God owns everything, He entrusts us with some of what He owns to invest for Him, that is, manage for Him. Faithful management earns His "Well done" when our time of accountability comes.