MATTHEW 25:14–30, ENTRUSTED TALENTS
FAITHFUL STEWARDSHIP OF GOD’S GIFTS UNTIL THE LORD RETURNS
Introduction
This Gospel teaches us to make the best use of the resources God entrusts to us within the limited time and opportunities of earthly life. Immediately after the parable of the ten bridesmaids, where Jesus stresses readiness and the oil of virtue, He now speaks of stewardship and accountability. A master going on a journey entrusts talents to his servants. Two servants trade courageously and multiply what they received, while one hides his talent and returns it without fruit. When the master returns, the faithful are welcomed into joy, and the negligent is judged. Jesus reminds us that avoiding evil is not enough; we must actively do good, build up the Kingdom, and offer the Lord a life that has borne fruit.
Bible Passage (Matthew 25:14–30)
“It will be as when a man who was going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one—each according to his ability. Then he went away. Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them, and made another five. Likewise, the one who received two made another two. But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried his master’s money. After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them. The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the additional five and said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’ Then the one who had received two talents also came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two talents. See, I have made two more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’ Then the one who had received one talent came forward and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a demanding person, harvesting where you did not plant and gathering where you did not scatter; so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground. Here it is back.’ His master said to him in reply, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant and gather where I did not scatter? Should you not then have put my money in the bank so that I could have got it back with interest on my return? Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten. For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’”
Background
This parable belongs to Jesus’ final teaching on the Mount of Olives about His return and the final judgment. He has warned about tribulation, deception, and the uncertainty of the day and hour. He called disciples to vigilance through the image of servants awaiting their master and bridesmaids awaiting the bridegroom. Now He deepens the lesson: readiness is not passive waiting but faithful labor. The Church lives in the “between time” from the Ascension to the Lord’s return. This interval is not empty delay but a gift of mercy and mission, when the Lord entrusts His household to His disciples and asks them to bear fruit.
Opening Life Connection
In ordinary life, a person’s reliability is seen not by what he says he will do, but by what he does with what is placed in his hands. Parents entrust children with chores, employers entrust employees with responsibilities, and society entrusts leaders with authority. Some people multiply what is entrusted; others waste it through fear, laziness, excuses, or resentment. Jesus uses this familiar experience to reveal a spiritual truth: our time, health, intelligence, opportunities, resources, and roles are not owned by us—they are entrusted to us.
Verse-by-Verse / Phrase-by-Phrase Reflection
“A man… called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them.”
The master acts with confidence. God trusts His disciples with real responsibility in His Kingdom, not as owners but as stewards.
“To one he gave five… to another, two… to a third, one—each according to his ability.”
God’s gifts are not equal, but they are always wise and just. Different vocations, capacities, and opportunities exist in the one Body of Christ.
“Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them.”
The faithful servant begins at once. Love does not delay, and zeal does not procrastinate.
“Likewise, the one who received two made another two.”
The Lord measures fruitfulness by fidelity, not by comparison. The second servant’s reward is identical because his love and effort were real.
“But the man who received one… buried his master’s money.”
He does not steal; he simply refuses mission. Spiritual failure often comes not from dramatic evil, but from fearful inaction and neglected duty.
“After a long time… the master… settled accounts.”
Christ’s return may seem delayed, but judgment is certain. The long time is mercy and mission, not permission for laziness.
“Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
The Lord rejoices in fidelity. The praise reveals what God desires most: a heart that serves consistently and fruitfully.
“Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities.”
Earthly responsibilities are training for eternal life. Heaven is not idleness but joyful participation in God’s work and glory.
“Come, share your master’s joy.”
This is the language of heaven: communion, celebration, belonging. Joy is the reward of faithful love.
“I knew you were a demanding person… so out of fear…”
The unfaithful servant reveals his distorted image of the master. A false image of God produces fear, resentment, and paralysis.
“You wicked, lazy servant!”
Laziness becomes wickedness when it refuses love and refuses mission. Neglect is not neutral in the Kingdom.
“Should you not… have put my money in the bank… with interest?”
Even minimum effort was possible. God does not demand the impossible, but He condemns the refusal to do even what is possible.
“Take the talent… give it to the one with ten.”
Grace grows when used and diminishes when neglected. What we refuse to live, we lose.
“Throw this useless servant into the darkness outside.”
Jesus uses judgment imagery to warn that unfruitful discipleship can end in separation from the joy of the Kingdom.
Jewish Historical and Religious Context
A “talent” in the ancient world was an enormous unit of money, representing a vast trust. Wealthy masters would entrust resources to stewards for trade while away. Burying money was a known method of safekeeping in a world without modern banks and in times of instability, but Jesus shows that the master expects fruit, not mere preservation. The language of “darkness outside” and “wailing and grinding of teeth” echoes Jewish imagery for exclusion from the messianic banquet and the sorrow of judgment, often used in Jesus’ teaching to awaken conversion.
Catholic Tradition and Teaching
The Church reads this parable as a call to stewardship and mission. Every baptized person receives gifts: grace, charisms, vocation, and responsibilities in family, Church, and society. These are meant for the building up of the Body of Christ and the salvation of souls. Faith must bear fruit through charity, service, and witness. The parable also warns against spiritual sloth, fear-driven religion, and living as if our gifts belong to us. The Lord’s judgment will include not only sins committed but also good neglected.
Historical or Saintly Illustration
Saint Paul’s life illustrates the “five talents” spirit: once he encountered Christ, he did not delay. He poured himself out for the Gospel, confident that the Lord would one day “repay everyone according to his conduct.” Many saints served with fewer visible resources but with great fruit, proving that God rewards not quantity but faithful love and courageous use of what is given.
Application to Christian Life Today
This Gospel challenges both the gifted and the fearful. Those with many talents must not become proud or careless; they will be accountable for much. Those with fewer talents must not become discouraged; fidelity in little is precious to God. The true danger is the third servant’s attitude: hiding gifts, refusing risk, blaming God, and living without fruit. Today that can look like wasted time, unused gifts, reluctance to serve, avoidance of responsibility, or criticism of the Church while doing nothing to build her up. The Lord calls each of us to take initiative in our vocation, practice charity, witness to Christ, and invest our lives in what leads to eternity.
Eucharistic Connection
In the Eucharist, Christ entrusts Himself to His Church and feeds His household at the proper time. Holy Communion strengthens us to serve, to persevere, and to bear fruit. Every Mass ends with mission: we are sent to “trade” with grace—turning what we receive at the altar into charity in the world. The Eucharist is both nourishment and accountability: the Lord who gives Himself will also ask what we did with His gifts.
Messages / Call to Conversion
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Recognize that everything we have is entrusted by God, not owned by us.
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Repent of fear, laziness, and procrastination that bury our gifts and waste our time.
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Use whatever you have—much or little—to serve Christ and build up His Church.
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Refuse a false image of God as harsh; trust Him as a loving master who rewards fidelity.
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Make a daily resolution: do one concrete act that “invests” your life in eternity—prayer, charity, witness, or service.
Outline for Preachers
• Background within the Gospel: end-time discourse; readiness becomes stewardship and accountability
• Life connection: entrusted responsibilities reveal true character
• Key verses and phrases explained: “entrusted his possessions”, “each according to his ability”, “settled accounts”, “well done”, “share your master’s joy”, “wicked, lazy servant”, “darkness… wailing”
• Jewish historical and religious context: stewardship, trading, burying money, judgment imagery and banquet exclusion
• Catholic teaching and tradition: stewardship of grace and charisms; judgment includes neglected good; mission of the baptized
• Saintly or historical illustration: Saint Paul and the saints as models of fruitful use of grace
• Application to life today: avoiding spiritual sloth; using time, gifts, and opportunities for God’s Kingdom
• Eucharistic connection: Communion strengthens mission; grace received must become charity lived
• Key messages and call to conversion: faithful labor now, joy with the Master forever
