Commentary in NLT Life Application Study Bible, for Matthew 25:14-30
Matthew 25:15 The master divided the money among his servants according to their abilities. No one received more or less than he could handle. If he failed in his assignment, his excuse could not be that he was overwhelmed. Failure would indicate only laziness or hatred toward the master.
The bags of silver represent any kind of resource we are given. God gives us time, gifts, and other resources according to our abilities, and he expects us to invest them wisely until he returns.
We are responsible to use well what God has given us. The issue is not how much we have, but how well we use what we have.
Matthew 25:21 Jesus is coming back --- we know this is true.
Does this mean we must quit our jobs in order to serve God? No, it means we are to use our time, talents, and treasures diligently in order to serve God completely in whatever we do.
For a few people, this may mean changing professions. For most of us, it means doing our daily work out of love for God.
Matthew 25:24-30 This last man was thinking only of himself.
He hoped to play it safe and protect himself from his hard master, but he was judged for his self-centeredness. We must not make excuses to avoid doing what God calls us to do.
If God truly is our Master, we must obey willingly. Our time, abilities, and money aren’t ours in the first place --- we are caretakers, not owners.
When we ignore, squander, or abuse what we are given, we are rebellious and deserve to be punished.
Commentary in NLT Life Application Study Bible, for Matthew 25:31-46
Matthew 25:29, 30 This parable describes the consequences of two attitudes toward Christ’s return.
The person who diligently prepares for it by investing his or her time and talents to serve God will be rewarded.
God rewards faithfulness.
The person who has no heart for the work of the kingdom will be punished.
Those who bear no fruit for God’s Kingdom cannot expect to be treated the same as those who are faithful.
Matthew 25:31-46 God will separate his obedient followers from pretenders and unbelievers.
The real evidence of our belief is the way we act. To treat all persons we encounter as if they were Jesus is no easy task. What we do for others demonstrates what we really think about Jesus’ words to us: Feed the hungry, give the homeless a place to stay, look after the sick. How well do your actions separate you from pretenders and unbelievers?
Matthew 25:32 Jesus used sheep and goats to picture the division between believers and unbelievers. Sheep and goats often graze together but were separated when it came time to shear the sheep.
Ezekiel 34:17-24 also refers to the separation of sheep and goats.
Matthew 25:34-40 This parable describes acts of mercy we all can do every day. These acts do not depend on wealth, ability, or intelligence; they are simply acts freely given and freely received. We have no excuse to neglect those who have deep needs, and we cannot hand over this responsibility to the church or government. Jesus demands our personal involvement in caring for others’ needs. (Isaiah 58:7).
- compiled by J.M.
