Matthew 25:14–30
"For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned
his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to
another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went
away. The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded
with them, and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two
talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went
off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. After a long time
the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Then the one
who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents,
saying, "Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five
more talents." His
master said to him, "Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been
trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter
into the joy of your master."
And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, "Master, you
handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents." His master said to him,
"Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few
things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your
master." Then the one
who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, "Master, I knew
that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where
you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in
the ground. Here you have what is yours." But his master replied, "You wicked and lazy slave! You
knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not
scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my
return I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent
from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. For to all those who
have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who
have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless
slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and
gnashing of teeth."
Reflection
Have I always wasted opportunities?
How I use my giftedness as God wishes?