Matthew 25:18

French Jerusalem 1998

Mais celui qui n'en avait reçu qu'un s'en alla faire un trou en terre et enfouit l'argent de son maître.

What Does This Mean?

In Matthew 25:18, Jesus tells a story about a servant who was given one talent (money) but buried it in the ground instead of using it wisely. The verse highlights the consequence of not making use of what has been entrusted to you.

Explained for Children

Imagine if your mom gave you some money to buy seeds and plant them, but instead, you just hid the money in your room without doing anything with it. That's like what this servant did. He didn't do anything useful with what he was given.

Historical Background

Matthew wrote his gospel around 80-90 AD, aimed at a Jewish-Christian audience. The story fits within a cultural context where talents were significant and managing them responsibly was expected of servants.

Living It Out Today

Think about a person who receives an inheritance but instead of investing it to help others or grow it, they hide it away in their bank account without using it for good. This is similar to not utilizing the gifts given to you by God.

Topics

• responsibility
• stewardship
• faithfulness
• trust
• accountability
• talents

Related Verses

• Luke 19:20
• Mark 4:25
• Proverbs 3:6
• Matthew 25:27
• Ephesians 4:7

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the servant bury the talent?

The servant was afraid of losing it or perhaps lacked confidence in using it wisely, so he chose not to take any risk and simply buried what he had been given.

What can we learn from this parable about our gifts?

This parable teaches us that we should use the talents (gifts) God has given us for good, rather than hiding or neglecting them. We are called to be faithful stewards.

How does this relate to stewardship in modern times?

In today's context, it means using our resources, skills, and time wisely to make a positive impact on the world around us, rather than hoarding them out of fear or complacency.

What is the ultimate lesson from this story for Christians?

The ultimate lesson is about accountability. We will be held accountable for how we use what has been entrusted to us, and it's important to be faithful in small things as a sign of readiness for greater responsibilities.