In this case, the parable that follows shows that the apostles have a special responsibility. Why is the faithful servant blessed? Now, it seems to me that A-1 and B-1 belong together in the sense that both of them focus on the second advent and on being watchful and ready for that second advent. The faithful servant is blessed (here the word blessed occurs for the last time in Matthew), because he is found at work doing the assigned tasks when the master arrives, whenever that might be. No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. The parable tells us that every soul is precious to God and is worth great effort to save. The unfaithful servant in the parable did not waste the master’s money, he wasted an opportunity. Comment: Jesus says that exhortations to "watch" apply to everyone (Mark 13:35-37). The meaning of the famous parable in the Bible ( Luke 25 ) about the talents and the good and faithful servant and unfaithful servant in the kingdom of God. Jesus explanation of this parable explained by Matthew Henry. They saw men and women who sinned. God told him in to speak the words “whether they listen or not”. In fact, this parable should be viewed more as a warning since so much of the story is focused on the unfaithful third servant. This sermon evaluates the Parable of the Unfaithful Servant in detail and analyses how it parallels with our walk with God. Jesus saw people who needed to be saved. You cannot serve God and mammon .” (Luke 16:1-13) There are two key pieces of revelation being given to us by the Lord in this parable that has major implications for each and every believer. 5. The second story is the Parable of the Lost Coin (Luke 15:8-10). This man was busily involved in working for his Master and faithful in the pursuit of his duties. A-2 Parable of the Talents. His faithfulness helped him climb the ladder of success as his loyalty and diligence caught the attention of the Master. “And he who is not faithful in a very little is also not faithful in much.” Unfortunately the RSV has done interpretation rather than translation and put in the word “dishonest”. That is the point. Matthew 24:45-51 The parable of the faithful and evil servants admonishes us to be faithful and wise in carrying out responsibilities and relationships with our fellow servants, our brothers in the body of Christ.. A faithful person is trustworthy, scrupulous, honest, upright, and truthful. Some of the sayings in the parable can also be found in the non-canonical Gospel of Thomas, a book which most Christians do not accept as scriptural. The parable of the faithful servant can be found in three of the four gospels -- Matthew 24:42-51, Mark 13:34-37 and Luke 12:35-38. In the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, Jesus is presenting a new principle that is similar to the basis of the forgiveness command for believers found in Ephesians 4:32, "And be ye kind to one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you." Luke 12:41-44; Matthew 24:45-47; 25:21. In other words, determine to be faithful in speaking the Word, not worrying about the success of them receiving the Word. The unfaithful servant instead uses the time of the master's delay as an opportunity to beat his fellow servants and to party and get drunk. B. This whole parable is concerned about faithfulness. B-2 (Quasi) Parable of the Judgment of the Sheep and Goats. You were not dishonest if you did not phone a friend in need, but you were unfaithful. The first is the Parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:3-7). A-1 Parable of the Faithful or Unfaithful Servant. The Pharisees and the scribes had the wrong viewpoint. PARABLE OF THE TALENTS “Well done good and faithful servant”. We will be held accountable. (-) The unfaithful servant Faithfulness will be rewarded but unfaithfulness will be judged. B-1 Parable of the Ten Virgins. Highly recommended reading. Other commentaries