THE MASTER’S GOODS
The Lord delivers his goods
The Lord judges his servants
Judgment of Unbelievers
Connection between gold, silver and faith
Will the Lord find faith on the earth?
Faith and prayer are linked to endurance in the midst of trials
In the parable of the ten virgins Jesus immediately gives another parable after telling the five unprepared virgins “ I know you not! “
In the parable His goods are identified as talents. One received five talents and gained five more. The second received two and gained two more. Both of these servants doubled their talents and were called good and faithful servants and told to enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. But the last that had received only one talent brought forth no gain at all. Our Lord calls him a wicked and slothful servant. Then said “cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
And in Luke 19 Jesus gives a similar parable concerning pounds.
Luke 19:11 And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.19:12 He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. 19:13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.19:14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this [man] to reign over us. 19:15 And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. [See verses 16-23]
The same results occurred as in the Matthew 25 passage. The first two showed an increase but the third servant hid his pound and gained nothing. The first two are, once again, called faithful and good servants. And the third called a wicked servant.
Luke 19:24 And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give [it] to him that hath ten pounds. 19:25 (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) 19:26 For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. 19:27 But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay [them] before me.
There is a definite figurative connection in Scripture between gold, and silver and faith. And Peter ties it to the trying of our faith. (Mal. 3:3, Zech.13:92, Timothy 2:20 )
1 Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
1 Corinthians 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
Revelation 3:18I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. (See Numbers 31: 21-24)
Throughout the old Testament both a talent and a pound is a measure or quantity of gold or silver. (Exod. 38:24-25,27; 1st Chronicles 19:6, Neh, 7:71-72,et al)
TAL’ENT, n. [ The word is said to have originally signified a balance or scales.]
1. Among the ancients, a weight, and a coin.
POUND, n. [L. pondo, pondus, weight, a pound; pendo, to weigh, to bend.]
(2 Samuel 12:29 – 30, 1st Kings 9:14, 10:10, 10:14)
Both of these parables deal with obtaining an increase or profit of that which was given to the servants. Just retaining the original talent (s) or pound (s) was not acceptable, for the ones which had no increase, even that which was given to them was taken away and given to another. The servants that obtained an increase in both parables were called good and faithful servants. And as for the other two, one was called a wicked, slothful and unprofitable servant and the other a wicked servant.
Notice that all the servants received of the master’s goods. They were all saved individuals.
This same principle is applied to both faith and grace in Scripture.
Ephesians 4:4 [There is] one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 4:6 One God and Father of all, who [is] above all, and through all, and in you all. 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
Romans 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, [let us prophesy] according to the proportion of faith;
Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think [of himself] more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
When we received eternal life and were sealed with the holy Spirit of promise we were given a measure of His fullness and spiritual gifts to serve God and others, especially the body of Christ. ( Eph. 4:13) All Christians receive this measure of grace and faith and given spiritual gifts
as the Lord wills.(1st Cor. 12:1-11)
James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
1 Peter 4:10 As every man hath received the gift, [even so] minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and [in] the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him [be] glory both now and for ever. Amen.
2 Thessalonians 1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
John 3:34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure [unto him]. 3:35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
( Col. 1:18-19, John 1:16, John 3:3-5, John 4:10, Acts 10:44-45, Acts 15:8).
It is only the things that we have received from God that are received back by God. In other words, it is his gifts to us that not only enable us to believe but also worship him, glorify and serve him and to serve others. But this grace and faith that we have been entrusted with must be manifested in this life. We cannot keep it to ourselves.
Ultimately, it is only by God’s grace and in Jesus’ righteousness and faith that this is accomplished.
( Gal. 2:20-21, Phil. 3:9-11, John 15:1-9 ; 2Peter 1:3, et al)
Israel was judged many times for using God’s provisions to benefit themselves, for idolatry and for following after the pagan nations. Likewise, Lucifer also used God’s gifts to him to serve himself and in doing so became defiled. ( Isaiah 14:12-15, Ezek. 28:13-18) Satan was and is the power behind the gentile nation’s rulers.
But it is God’s power that works in us. (Eph.3:20,) And power is Virtue!
Mark 5:30And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? (Also Luke 6:19, Luke, 8:46)
Luke 5:17 And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was [present] to heal them.
The O.T. types in relation to valor and virtue, (same meaning for both words) are numerous.
The Lord is looking for mighty men of valor to fight spiritual warfare. This is how he has chosen to destroy the works of the devil. Accomplishing this through frail men glorifies Him before his whole creation. ( 1st John 3:8; )
This cannot be done in the flesh. Women and children do not go to war. It is our maturing spiritual man that obeys Ephesians six in putting on the whole armour of God and goes forth to fight. Attempting to fight with our soul /flesh not only puts us in the enemies camp but guarantees failure in our life.
What are we doing with the gifts he has given us? Are we growing and exercising our measure of faith? What about grace?
[Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin. 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.]
But as we grow in maturity and the Lords reveals more truth to us we may find ourselves in a situation similar to Paul. For to whom much is given much will be required. But ultimately it is for our benefit and further growth.
Corinthians 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 12:8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. (
2 Corinthians 6:1 We then, [as] workers together [with him], beseech [you] also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
Galatians 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. 5:5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
( Hebrews 12:15)
It is a non-working faith that allows this to happen. Faith must work!
Luke 18:1 And he spake a parable unto them [to this end], that men ought always to pray, and not to faint Luke 18:7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 18:8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
This rhetorical question concerning faith implies that Jesus will not find any when He returns.
Our Lord said this after giving a parable for the purpose that men should always pray and not faint; ( See Hebrews 12 & Job 36: 1-21)
Faith and prayer are linked to endurance in the midst of trials, afflictions and temptations. Both are part of the armor of God listed in Ephesians 6.
Our faith can be great faith (Matt 8:10 &15:28), or it can be little faith (Matt 6:30 & 14:30-31). Our faith can be feigned (counterfeit, hypocritical, insincere) (1Tim.1:5, 2Tim 1:5), shipwrecked (1Tim1:19), we can depart from the faith, (1Tim 4:1) we can deny the faith, (1 Tim 5:8 ), we can err from the faith, (1 Tim 6:10, 1Tim 6:20-21 ) or cast off our first faith–which implies an additional faith, (1Tim 5:12), or be overthrown (2Tim2;18), or reprobate (2Tim 3:8.) Or we can be full of faith, (Acts 6:5).
In the letters to the seven churches the Lord commends Pergamos for holding fast his name and not denying his faith and the Thyatira over-comers for keeping His works.
Revelation 2:13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, [even] where Satan’s seat [is]: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas [was] my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
Rev. 2:26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations
Proverbs 9:1 Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:
(2 Peter 1:1-8-There are seven things listed in this passage we are to add to the faith that has been given to us as we labor to build this house. -(1st Cor.3:-9-14)
1 Thessalonians 1:3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; 2 Thessalonians 1:11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of [this] calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of [his] goodness, and the work of faith with power:
1 Corinthians 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these [is] charity.
1 Thessalonians 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
(Romans 5:1-5)
Are we using his goods as the Lord intended and are we prepared for war? (2 Timothy 2:1-7)[show_product_catalog]