The Talents

Summary

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The Jesus Podcast – "The Talents"

Date: October 7, 2025
Host: Zach (Pray.com)

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Main Theme & Purpose

This episode of The Jesus Podcast explores one of Jesus’s most famous parables: the Parable of the Talents. Through immersive storytelling and theological reflection, it challenges listeners to consider how they steward the gifts, resources, and—above all—the Gospel that God entrusts to them. The episode pushes against complacency and invites listeners into faith-filled action, emphasizing not only risk and faithfulness, but also the deep joy available in serving God.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Stage: The Gift of Responsibility

• Opening Reflection & Prayer (00:01):
  The episode opens with a prayer inspired by Luke 12:48—“To whomever much is given, of him much will be required…”—inviting gratitude and responsibility for the gifts God gives.
• Narrator observes Jesus with the disciples (02:12):
  Emphasizes the diverse personalities and gifts among Jesus’s followers, setting up the need for each to steward their unique callings.

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2. Parable of the Talents – Dramatized Retelling

• Introduction by Zach, the Host (03:03):
  Calls today’s story "another punch to the jaw" from Jesus, warning listeners against “neglecting the gifts and opportunities entrusted to us.”

  "The gospel requires that we take risks sometimes. Are you willing to step out in faith or will you let opportunities pass you by?" — Zach (03:50)

• The Story (04:12–18:36):

  • Lord Adriel and the Three Servants:
    Lord Adriel entrusts his wealth—eight talents of gold (massive sums)—to three servants, each according to their abilities.

    • Elias (five talents): Ambitious, meticulous, eager to please.
    • Joram (two talents): Faithful, steady, caring; supports the local blacksmith and tailor with investments, even at personal risk.
    • Seth (one talent): Fearful, anxious, paralyzed by the possibility of failure.

  • Investing the Talents:

    • Elias skillfully invests, doubling his share.
    • Joram thoughtfully takes risks to support others, also doubling his sum.
    • Seth, gripped by fear, buries his talent to avoid possible loss.

    "I don't have enough to invest like Elias, and I'm not foolish enough to give it all away like Joram. It's better to do nothing. At the very least, my master will have what he gave me. No harm done." — Seth (12:08)

  • The Reckoning upon Adriel’s Return:

    • Elias and Joram receive warm praise and rewards for their initiative (“Well done, my good and faithful servant ... enter the joy of your master.” — Lord Adriel, 13:48 & 14:53).
    • Seth, having played it safe, is harshly rebuked:

      "You wicked and lazy servant.... You have let fear rule and stagnation win. This is worse than failure. Seth. You didn't try. You have squandered the most precious of resources. Opportunity." — Lord Adriel (16:52)

      • Seth is fired and cast out—his refusal to risk interpreted as a denial of his duty and relationship to the master.

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3. Deeper Reflection on the Parable

• Host’s Analysis and Modern Connections (19:11):

  • Parable is reframed in modern terms—"imagine your boss leaving you with $20.5 million and asking you to take care of it and invest."
  • The parable is not about the amount one receives, but “faithful stewardship” over whatever is given.

    "This reveals something about the heart of God—that He measures according to being a good and faithful servant, not a more talented or fruitful servant." — Zach (20:16)

• Rejection of Comparison-Based Faith (Sermon Illustration, 21:20):

  • Zach criticizes sermons that imagine heaven as a place where you'll feel insecure about not having as many great stories as biblical figures like Moses or David.

    "We’re going to be too enamored by Jesus to care too much about David and his stories...In the presence of God there is fullness of joy." — Zach (22:40)

• True Reward is the Joy of the Master:

  • The Master’s commendation is “enter the joy of your master,” not material gain.
  • Faithfulness to God, not comparative greatness, is what God seeks.

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4. The Consequences of Inaction

• The Sin of Doing Nothing (27:20):

  • Doing nothing is not neutral. To "bury one's talent" results in spiritual regression and ultimately, chaos or loss—referenced chillingly by Hosea 8:7:

    “For they sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind.”

    • “To do nothing is to go backwards ... The reality is, to do nothing with the gospel is actually a degenerative act of the soul. You can’t get away with doing nothing.” — Zach (28:45)

• Urgency of Responding to the Gospel:

  • The Gospel demands a response; neutrality or procrastination is itself a negative answer.
  • Reference to Jesus’s words in Revelation 3:15 and Matthew 12:30, emphasizing commitment and active pursuit of faith:

    “The Gospel is too radical and Christ's sacrifice too great for us not to respond.” — Zach (31:30)

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5. Personal Application & Final Exhortation

• To Believers:
  Use your gifts, take risks, invest in people, and respond in action—not anxiety or hesitation.

  “Don’t fall into the trap of the servant who, reeling in anxiety, didn’t do what he was supposed to do with the gifts given to him.” — Zach (32:20)

• To Seekers:
  The invitation to “enter into the joy of your Master” remains open.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “To whom much is given, much will be required.” — Narrator (00:01, 06:42)
• “God has given all of us different measures of gifts, talents, and positions. But at the end, we are not going to compare exploits with one another ... The wonderful reality of heaven is that we get to be in the joy of our Master.” — Zach (22:00)
• “The Gospel is too glorious not to demand a response from you. The answer must be yes or no. It can't be maybe later.” — Zach (30:40)
• “Those who sew to the wind will reap the whirlwind.” — Storyteller (18:00)

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Important Timestamps

• 00:01 – Opening prayer featuring Luke 12:48
• 02:06 – Jesus warns against being unprepared
• 03:03 – Host Zach frames the episode’s theme
• 04:12–18:36 – Dramatized telling of the Parable of the Talents
• 13:40, 14:53 – Master’s commendation: “Well done, good and faithful servant”
• 16:40, 17:30 – Master’s rebuke: “You wicked and lazy servant ... take his bag of gold”
• 19:11 – Host’s modern application and story analogy
• 21:20 – Critique of comparison-based theology
• 22:40 – Reflection on “joy of the Master” as reward
• 27:20 – “To do nothing is to go backwards” / Hosea 8:7 reference
• 31:30 – Gospel’s urgent demand for response
• 32:20 – Exhortation to action

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Episode Takeaways

• God’s gifts—material, spiritual, or the Gospel itself—demand faithful investment, risk, and action, not passive preservation.
• Faithfulness, not success or comparison, is the measure of God’s pleasure.
• The greatest reward is sharing in God’s joy, not outshining others.
• To remain neutral or bury one’s God-given gifts is to squander precious opportunity.
• The Gospel requires and deserves a response: “yes or no,” not “maybe” or “someday.”
• The episode closes with an invitation to listeners—believer or seeker—to step toward faithfulness and the joy of relationship with God.

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Episode Mood:
Compassionate, honest, exhorting, and charged with both urgency and hope, calling listeners to action and trust in God’s gracious character.

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Transcript

[Narrator]

To whomever much is given, of him much will be required and to whom much was entrusted of him more will be asked. Luke 12:48 Heavenly Father, we recognize the great responsibility that comes with the blessings you have bestowed on us. With humble hearts, we acknowledge our duty to use these gifts for your glory and service of others. Grant us the wisdom to steward our resources, talents, and time with care and compassion. Fill us with a passion to serve diligently remembering that to whom much is given, much will be required. May our actions reflect our gratitude for your abundant grace. May we always be mindful of the needs of those around us. Help us to live not as masters of our gifts, but as faithful servants eager to do your will in every aspect of our lives. In Jesus name we pray with a spirit of humility and passion. Amen. Thank you for praying with me today. You're listening to the Jesus Podcast. Remain here for a transformative story told by Jesus. If this podcast has brought value to your faith, we'd love it if you left a review and shared it with a friend. We want the story of Jesus to be known throughout the world, because when Jesus story is told, lives are transformed the wind picked up and Jesus rose his face to the sun. It was beginning its descent over the valley, painting the garden in brilliant hues of amber and purple. He looked at his disciples sternly.

[Storyteller]

Nobody knows the day or the hour. Do not be caught off guard.

[Narrator]

He paused and leaned back on a stone. He looked at Matthew, frantically writing every word he said. He looked at Thomas, brow furrowed with deep thought. He looked at Peter. Ah, Peter. Peter was looking at everyone else to make sure they were paying attention. Each of his chosen disciples had unique personalities, quirks, and gifts to offer the kingdom of God. He prayed they wouldn't squander their opportunity. He desired for each of them to invest all they had in the kingdom.

[Storyteller]

It is time I tell you another parable, jesus continued. A parable of a man who went on a journey and entrusted his servants with talents.

[Zach (Host)]

We've all been given gifts. We've been given talents, resources and opportunities. Yet there is no greater gift than the Gospel. What have you done with that gift? Have you invested time and passion into it? Or have you buried it and hidden it from the world? This is the Jesus Podcast. I'm Zach with Pray.com here to guide you through another story inspired by Jesus Parables. If this podcast has been blessing you so far, we would love it if you shared it with a friend. We want as many people as possible to immerse themselves in The Story of Jesus these dramatized gospel stories have a way of impacting people with the message of Jesus and introducing them to the Bible when maybe they wouldn't have otherwise. Thanks for making the mission possible. Today's parable is another punch to the jaw from Jesus as he warns us about neglecting the gifts and opportunities entrusted to us. This story is meant to inspire us and be people of action instead of inaction and anxiety. The gospel requires that we take risks sometimes. Are you willing to step out in faith or will you let opportunities pass you by?

[Storyteller]

In the heart of the ancient sun drenched city of Cana, where air was rich with the scents of spices and the bustling sounds of commerce, three servants, Elias, Joram and Seth, walked into the opulent hall of their master, Lord Adriel. The halls were adorned with tapestries depicting legendary conquests and triumphs. Adriel sat at his desk under the high ceilings of his great halls, watching his three servants walk in. He was a figure of immense power. He had amassed his wealth through sheer force of will. His family and friends adored him greatly and his enemies feared him in even greater measure. The three young men bowed to their master with fear and love. Adriel tapped on his desk and pointed to the map hanging from the wall to his left.

[Lord Adriel]

I am going on a journey north. I have businesses to take care of and family to attend to. I do not know when I shall return. Rather than allowing my wealth to stagnate in my treasury while I am away, I will entrust it to you. Each of you will be given a different amount.

[Storyteller]

Adriel clapped his hands and his accountant brought in bags of gold.

[Lord Adriel]

These bags hold eight talents worth of gold.

[Storyteller]

Elias, Joram and Seth trembled when they saw the money. A single talent was worth over 10 years of wages. Most men of their stature wouldn't see that much money in their entire lifetime.

[Lord Adriel]

Elias, step forward.

[Storyteller]

Elias had sharp features. He was quick to respond with enthusiasm. Despite his humble beginnings. Elias rose in the ranks because of his attentiveness to the master's will. He spent hours poring over his ledgers and journals, soaking in every ounce of knowledge he could. He knew that when the time came, he would prove himself to be a faithful and trustworthy servant. The master placed five bags of gold in Elias's hands.

[Lord Adriel]

Five talents will go to you. Steward them well.

[Storyteller]

Elias eyes beamed with anxious excitement.

[Servants (Elias, Joram, Seth)]

I will not let you down, my lord. I already have plans swirling round my head. We can invest in toll roads and new building projects. I promise I will not let you down.

[Lord Adriel]

I have trusted you with much, Elias, to whom much is given, much is required. You've told me your intentions to rise among the other servants. Your words are like silver. But let's see if your actions are gold.

[Storyteller]

Adriel took two bags in his hand and gestured for the second servant, Joram.

[Lord Adriel]

Here you are.

[Storyteller]

Joram stepped forward and received the two talents worth of gold. Joram was a man of few words. He was the eldest of the three and had served faithfully at Adriel's house since he was young. Joram stood solid and dependable, like the ancient oak trees that lined the master's estate. His hands, calloused from years of diligent work, received the two bags of gold with a reverent touch.

[Lord Adriel]

Joram, your loyalty has been the quiet backbone of my affairs. Use this gold to extend our reach.

[Storyteller]

Joram was an uncomplicated man with a simpler mind. Although he did not possess the intellect of Elias or the youth of Seth, his his strength was in his heart. With a nod more potent than any.

[Servants (Elias, Joram, Seth)]

Oath, Joram replied, as you wish, my lord.

[Storyteller]

Lastly, there was Seth. Adriel gestured for him to step forward. He reached for his last bag of gold, one single talents worth, and placed it gently in Seth's hand. Seth held the bag with trembling hands. His timidity overshadowed his youth, and his anxiousness often kept him from realizing his potential. Adriel stood up and steadied Seth's hands.

[Lord Adriel]

One talent, Seth. I trust you to take care of it.

[Storyteller]

A subtle hint of encouragement threaded through his words, but Seth was too paranoid to hear it. His fears drowned out every whisper of positivity. Seth's voice barely made it to his master's ears.

[Seth]

Thank you, my lord. I will guard this treasure with my life.

[Storyteller]

Adriel nodded and raised his arms to his servants.

[Lord Adriel]

The day and hour of my return is still unknown. We will settle our accounts when I am back. God be with you.

[Storyteller]

The master dismissed his servants and prepared for departure. The next morning, he ventured north, the day and the hour of his return a mystery. Seth awoke that morning with an anchor of fear on his chest. He held the bag of gold close, unsure what to do. Elias was given five talents, which meant he had more room to fail. Joram had two, which meant he could invest one talent and save the other. But Seth only had one. One talent. He watched Elias leave before the sunrise. He plunged into the city's vibrant heart, ready to change the world. With this opportunity, Elias navigated the maze of markets with the agility of a seasoned trader. His name would soon become synonymous with success. Seth was envious of Elias.

[Seth]

If I had five talents, then maybe I could do what Elias does, seth Mercy murmured. If I had his charisma and energy.

[Storyteller]

Seth daydreamed about what it would be like to be like Elias.

[Seth]

I only have one talent. Compared to five, that's worth almost nothing. I have to keep what I have safe. I. I can't lose it.

[Storyteller]

Seth hid the sack of gold under his tunic and left the house. Joram was in the courtyard set, speaking with a blacksmith and taylor. Seth watched Joram give each of them a bag. One talent went to the blacksmith and the other to the tailor. Each of them bowed and departed.

[Seth]

Joram, what are you doing? That's all the talents you have? Why not save at least one? Just in case the master comes back soon?

[Storyteller]

Joram scratched his head and shrugged.

[Servants (Elias, Joram, Seth)]

The blacksmith does great work. He's sought after by many craftsmen in town. I figured if he had more money to invest in his business, he would grow and we would see some of that money back. The tailor is a friend of mine. His family is sick and that money will keep his business afloat until he can pay me back later.

[Storyteller]

Seth was vibrating with angst.

[Seth]

But what if the blacksmith injures himself and can't work? What if the tailor gets sick and can't pay you back? Then the master's money will be gone. Aren't you afraid? He's a harsh man.

[Storyteller]

Joram shrugged and walked away, content to leave Seth in a puddle of his own stress. The weight of responsibility haunted Seth. He couldn't imagine the look of disappointment on his master's face face if he failed. To Seth, failure was the greatest blemish on a man. Seth meandered the fields all day, kicking up dirt and pacing with frenetic energy. The sun had set, and the frigid evening air only added to Seth's shaking.

[Seth]

I don't have enough to invest like Eliason. I'm not foolish enough to give it all away like Joram. It's better to do nothing. At the very least, my master will have what he gave me. No harm done.

[Storyteller]

There, under the watchful eye of the moon, he buried his master's gold. It was a decision born of fear, a hope that preserving the status quo would be enough. As seasons changed and months slipped by like sand through fingers, Lord Andriel's return sent ripples of expectation through the estate. The three servants stood once more in the grand hall, a place unchanged yet entirely different. Adriel entered, beaming with anticipation.

[Lord Adriel]

My Friends, I have missed you.

[Storyteller]

He shouted as he walked through the large double doors. His warm voice filled Seth with relief. Lord Adriel sat at his desk and smoothed out a large piece of parchment. On it were the accounts.

[Lord Adriel]

Let's begin. Elias, I gave you five talents. What do you have for me now?

[Storyteller]

Elias approached with his shoulders set back. He wore a humble smile. He knew he had done well, but he also knew that it was his master's money and not his.

[Servants (Elias, Joram, Seth)]

My lord, you gave me five talents. We were able to invest in land and have made double the amount through our tenants. Here are 10 talents for you.

[Storyteller]

Elias placed 10 bags of gold on the table beside his master. Adriel stood up and placed a hand on the gold.

[Lord Adriel]

Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful with some of my wealth, so I will put you in charge of much more. Come and share in the happiness of your master.

[Storyteller]

Adriel gestured for Elias to sit beside him. Elias held back tears and humbly bowed his head before sitting beside his master. Adriel turned to Joram and said, joram.

[Lord Adriel]

What have you done with the talents I gave you?

[Storyteller]

Seth watched Joram carefully. What was he going to do? Did he ever recoup any of the money he gave away? Joram quietly approached the table and set down four bags of gold. Seth couldn't believe his eyes. Joram cleared his throat and said, master.

[Servants (Elias, Joram, Seth)]

You gave me two talents. I have doubled that amount. We also got to help some kind folks in the process. Here are your four talents.

[Storyteller]

Adriel laughed and extended a hand to Joram.

[Lord Adriel]

Well done, my good and fair, faithful servant. You were faithful with a few things, so I will put you in charge of much. Come, share in my joy and enter the rest of your master.

[Storyteller]

Then came Seth, his figure shrunken, his hands empty save for a soiled bag of gold. Seth took the dusty bag and placed it on the desk. It looked quite sad beside the piles of gold his fellow servants had just acquired. Adriel wiped some of the dirt off the bag and looked at Seth.

[Lord Adriel]

What is the meaning of this? Why is the bag dirty?

[Seth]

Well, my lord, it's because I buried it in a field.

[Lord Adriel]

You what?

[Storyteller]

Adriel's tone was equal parts confusion and rage.

[Seth]

I know you are a hard man who doesn't revel in losing money. You harvest where you have not sown and gather where you haven't scattered seed. I was afraid to lose what's yours and receive judgment. I was fearful of. I was afraid to.

[Lord Adriel]

You were afraid to fail.

[Storyteller]

Atrial Finished with flared nostrils.

[Seth]

Yes, but look.

[Storyteller]

Seth held up the soiled bag of gold.

[Seth]

I have your gold here. Perfectly safe. Take what belongs to you.

[Storyteller]

There was a long, drawn out pause. The great halls of Adriel were silent for what seemed like eternity. Finally, the master picked up the sack of gold and emptied it in front of Elias and Joram. Then he turned to Seth and shouted.

[Lord Adriel]

You wicked and lazy servant.

[Storyteller]

His words shook the halls. Seth fell back and looked up at his master with terror. Adriel stomped towards Seth as he backpedaled.

[Lord Adriel]

You knew that I harvest what I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered. You know my will, character and desires, yet you still did nothing. You didn't even do the same simplest tasks, like investing the money with the bankers. At least then I would have received something back with interest. You have let fear rule and stagnation win. This is worse than failure. Sith. You didn't try. You have squandered the most precious of resources. Opportunity.

[Storyteller]

Turning to Elias, he decreed, take his bag of gold.

[Lord Adriel]

For those who show initiative. The world offers abundance. But those who succumb to inaction shall find even their small lot in life taken away.

[Storyteller]

Seth's eyes watered in dismay. His worst fear had been realized. He had hoped that by doing nothing and avoiding failure, he would dodge the judgment of his master. Yet the opposite had happened. His unwillingness to take risks showed his lack of care. He had an opportunity to run with confidence, but his anxiety kept him tethered to the floor.

[Seth]

Master, I I.

[Storyteller]

Seth's words were lost in a flurry of emotion. Adriel waved to the guards and said.

[Lord Adriel]

Throw this worthless servant outside. Let him be thrown into darkness like the hole he buried his talent in. Let him wallow in the place of weeping and gnashing of teeth.

[Storyteller]

Elias and Joram both rose to prominence, even though Elias earned far more than Joram. Both were held in honor, not because of what they brought to the Master. Because of their faithfulness to seize the dark day, they had invested what they had and were diligent to respond to the call of their master. As for Seth, he learned a valuable lesson about life, faith and failure. Doing nothing rarely gets you nothing in return. Often those who sew to the wind will reap the whirlwind.

[Zach (Host)]

Jesus paints us a picture of a master who gave three of his servants money to take care of while he was away. For a while, one servant was given five talents, another was given two, and then another was given one talent. A talent was worth a lot of money. Back then, this was more than a servant would probably make. In about 20 years of labor, a servant would work their entire adult life and still never make an entire talent. So it's a lot of cash. I want you to imagine your boss is going on some sort of trip. He comes up to you and says, I'm going away for a while. I don't know when I'm going to be back, but here's $20.5 million. Could you take care of it for me? Can you invest it? Buy some land, maybe flip some businesses or some houses? I'll be back. And give an account of how you handled my money. That would undoubtedly shake me to the core. That's a lot of pressure, especially since it's not my money to begin with. What am I going to do with that much money? Am I going to be responsible for it, or am I going to somehow waste it? All these servants were all given a different amount of money, no doubt because of their capabilities or their relationship to the master. But that is not actually as important as what they do with their money. I want you to notice that never once was it about the amount of money that they were given or the amount of money that they accumulated, but it was about their faithful stewardship over what was given to them. The first servant technically made more money than the second servant, yet their faithfulness was counted the same by the Master. This reveals something about the heart of God that he measures according to being a good and faithful servant, not a more talented and fruitful servant. I want to tell you a story about the worst sermon I ever heard in my entire life. And I'm not joking about this. It wasn't because the pastor fumbled on his words. It wasn't that he stammered or forgot what he was saying. It was the content of his message that really got me riled up. He painted a picture for the audience. He said, I want you to imagine you're in heaven. I want you to imagine that you're sitting at a dinner table or by a fire in heaven with Moses, with Elijah, with David. I want you to picture yourself listening to David as he tells stories about how he vanquished Goliath and led the armies of Israel into victory. I want you to imagine you talking to Moses and hearing him talk about how he got to walk through parted seas and see manna fall from heaven. I want you to imagine yourself listening to Elijah talking about how he summoned fire from heaven and how he got to watch the prophets of BAAL bow before the God of all creation. That pastor went on to say that you don't want to be hearing this story from David, hearing the faithfulness of Moses and looking at the exploits of Elijah, and feel insecure about what you did here on this earth. What story are you going to have to offer David? Are you going to have an impressive thing to show Moses? Are you going to be able to tell Elijah about all the wonderful feats of faith that you had in your life? You don't want to be caught with a bad story when you're in heaven, right? You see, that pastor had a profoundly inaccurate picture of what heaven is actually like. We're not going to be looking at the exploits of David and Moses and Elijah and then somehow feel insecure and ashamed that we didn't do nearly as much as them. In fact, we're going to be too enamored by Jesus to even care about that. I'm going to tell you something right now. I'm going to be too enamored by the holiness and the person of Jesus to care too much about David and his stories. That message also reveals a misunderstanding in what God considers as faithful stories. Look at the reward of these two servants. In verse 21 of this passage. It says, well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little. I will set you over much and turn to the joy of your master. Notice how even at the end, the reward for the faithful servant wasn't that he received more money or status, but that he entered into the joy of the Lord. God has given all of us different measures of gifts, talents and positions. But at the end, we are not going to compare exploits with one another. In fact, all of the talents are going to be given back to God anyways. The wonderful reality of heaven is that we get to be in the joy of our master. It's not that we get to brag about our exploits to David, Moses, Elijah, Peter. It's that we get to be in the presence of God. And in the presence of God there is fullness of joy. We need to realize two things here before we continue. One, we are going to give account of our lives and what we did with the gospel that was given to us. We are going to be held accountable to how we used our time and our talents and our treasures. But ultimately, we are going to give an account of what we did with the gospel, what we did with the story of God that was in our hands. Did we allow the gospel to affect our hearts and the way that we treat our friends and family, what we do with the Gospel matters. How we invest the treasure. That is the gospel matters. But the second thing here is that God is in the business of bringing us into his joy. This means that it isn't about begrudgingly obeying Jesus because you don't want to be uninvited to the wedding feast. We aren't jumping through miserable hoops so that we don't miss out on a party. No, this is an invitation to joy. God is in the business of offering us joy, and our faithfulness to him comes from a place of desiring to enter into that joy. The pleasure for us in heaven doesn't come from getting to brag about what we did. It doesn't come from getting extra from our neighbor or the people that are beside us. It comes from being in the presence of Jesus. That is what the third servant was lacking. Ultimately, he was lacking this understanding that the Master was going to be kind and compassionate to him, whether he 10xed his investment or it remained the same. Let's dive into the passage that our story was inspired by. It says this in verse 24 he also who had received the one talent, came forward saying, master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. So I was afraid and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours. But the Master answered him, you wicked and slothful servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scatter no seed. Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. The solution for this servant was to take this spectacular talent that was given to him and just bury it. Notice here how he doesn't seem to be particularly unpleased with this either. He says, hey, at least I didn't gamble it away or lose your money. But the Master uses severe language with severe consequences attached to it. He says, you wicked and slothful servant. Having given his servant a wonderful opportunity to be faithful, he came back to see it was buried. Here's a harsh reality that we all have to wrestle with. To do nothing is something Hosea8.7 actually has a chilling verse that I'm always reminded by when I'm interacting with my kids or when I'm working for the kingdom of God. Hosea 8. 7 says, for you reap the wind, and you will sow the whirlwind. You see, many people think that if they invest nothing, they'll get nothing in return. If they put in no effort, they'll get nothing in return. And that's fine with them. But the reality is to do nothing is actually to reap chaos and destruction. To do nothing with the gospel is actually a degenerative act of the soul. You can't get away with doing nothing. To do nothing is to go backwards. So why is the Master so severe here in his punishment? Here's the thing. You may not be antagonistic towards Jesus. In fact, you may love coming to church and learning about Him. You love what religion can do for your family and your kids. You may have just gone to church your whole life and it's just a habit now, and you like it because it encourages you to be a good person. And maybe it's fear, maybe it's bitterness or laziness or selfishness. But some of you might be living your lives hearing the gospel, yet doing nothing in response. This servant's sin was similar to the bridesmaids who had no oil. They were given an opportunity to enter into the joy of their Master, yet they lived as though they didn't even care. Think about this for a second. God, the Creator of heaven and earth, holy, filled with awe inspiring power and majesty, directs the galaxy and causes the instincts of every animal in motion. The God who designed gravity and adorned the mountain range with meadows. He wants you and desires you so much that he would set His Son on a cross to suffer, bleed and die for you. That, my friends, is a treasure. And it is a treasure not to take for granted. To take that reality and bury it away is ultimately a rejection of the Master himself, who so desperately wants you to enter into the joy of of Him. And not entering into that joy is what we see towards the end of this episode where the servant is cast into outer darkness in a place where there's weeping and gnashing of teeth. The Gospel is too glorious not to demand a response from you. The answer must be yes or no. It can't be maybe later. It can't be maybe when I have my life put together. And it can't be, ah, I'm not sure. The Gospel is too radical an invitation to too joyful an experience to just remain neutral. Jesus says in Revelation 3:15, I know your works. You are neither cold nor hot. I would rather that you would be cold or hot, because you are lukewarm though, and neither hot nor cold. I will spit you out of my mouth. In Matthew 12:30, Jesus says, Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me will scatter. You see, the Gospel is too radical and Christ's sacrifice too great for us not to respond. For those of you who have received the Gospel of Christ and said yes, this is your opportunity to step out. Take risks, invest in people, use your talents. Don't fall into the trap of the servant who, reeling in anxiety, didn't do what he was supposed to do with the gifts given to him. For those of you who have yet to respond to the invitation of Jesus, he is inviting you now. The door is open. My My exhortation to you as we conclude this episode is that entering into the joy of your Master would surpass anything else hindering you from Him. Thanks again for listening to the Jesus Podcast. 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