Background picture of Jesus returning as King - came in an e-mail, author unknown.
Parable of the Talents by: Frances M. Meservy September 24, 2008
I believe God used money to show us a principle about the fruit the Holy Spirit produces in us and the gifts (abilities, talents) God gives us. If we do nothing more than silently use the fruit, we win people to Jesus. If we use the gifts, we get peoples attention so they will notice the fruit and be saved. We store up treasure in Heaven when we win souls for Jesus or sow seeds that others will use to win souls for Jesus.
I know really some fine folks who got upset because I witnessed to someone and they immediately accepted Jesus. They were upset because the person did not accept Jesus when they said the same thing that I had just said. But the Bible says that by the witness of two or three is a thing established. They were the first witness and I was the second. If they had not sown, I would not have reaped. When they understood this, they were OK.
Maybe that's why Jesus sent the disciples (Missionaries) out two by two. Jesus also sent out 70 other people (who were fruit bearers - He did not call them disciples) two by two to prepare the way for Him to come. Jesus was the third witness. Jesus has people (fruit bearing) today to prepare the way (sow) for Evangelists to reap a harvest when they come. Today Jesus' Holy Spirit is the third witness.
NKJ Mat 25:14-30
"For the kingdom
of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called
his own servants and delivered his goods to them.
"And to one he gave five talents, to
another two, and to another one, to each according to his own
ability; and immediately he went on a journey.
"Then he who had received the five talents
went and traded with them, and made another five talents. "And
likewise he who had received two gained two more also. "But he
who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his
lord's money.
"After a long time the lord of those servants
came and settled accounts with them. "So he who had received five
talents came and brought five other talents, saying, 'Lord, you
delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more
talents besides them.' "His lord said to him, 'Well done, good
and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will
make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your
lord.'
"He also who had received two talents came and
said, 'Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained
two more talents besides them.' "His lord said to him, 'Well
done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a
few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into
the joy of your lord.'
"Then he who had received the one talent came
and said, 'Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you
have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed.
'And I was afraid,
and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have
what is yours.' "But his lord answered and said to him, 'You
wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not
sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 'So you
ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my
coming I would have received back my own with interest.
'Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has
ten talents. 'For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he
will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he
has will be taken away. 'And cast the unprofitable servant into
the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
Mat 6:19-21 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; "but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
John 4:34-38 Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. "Do you not say, 'There are still four months and then comes the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! "And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. "For in this the saying is true: 'One sows and another reaps.' "I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors."
2 Cor 13:1 This will be the third time I am coming to you. "By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established."
Mark 6:7 And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.
Luke 10:1 After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go.
2 Cor 9:10-11 Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.
Mat 18:20 "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."
Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.