Matthew 25:14-30

14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants [people who were under him,people whom he had stewardship over], and delivered unto them his goods [trusted his possessions to their care].

15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability [ not every one was given the same, in otherwords diferent responsibilities were given to different individuals based on some standard that was determined]; and straightway took his journey.

16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.

17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.

18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.

19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them [they had a PPI so to speak].

20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.

21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant:[thanks them for doing a good job, thanks for growing my kingdom under your stewardship] thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.

23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:

25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.

26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant [calls to repentance were he needs to], thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

27 Thou oughtest therefore [master communicates what was expected of the servant] to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.

29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

What are the lessons that we can learn from this parable?

1) Each was given a stewardship, because the master needs someone to do it for him in his absence.

2) Not all were given the same responsibility.

3) After a period of time the Lord sat down with them and ask them to be accountable for the success and weakinesses.

4) Lord asked them to report. What kind of questions should we ask in our reports?

When we ask for a report ask feeling questions�as well as

5) The Lord thanked those that had done a good job

6) The Lord chastized those that had not done what he had expected of them.

7) Lord communicates what needs to be done and what was expected.

8) Lord gives provides help and further instruction to get things back on track.

In exploring this parable further we can use it as an example to discover at least four separate areas that we should focus on in an effort to bring about good stewardship for the talents the Lord has made us responsible for, they include:

Accountability--

Each person should understand that they have an assignment and that they are responsible for the particular assignment.

1) Set a specific time.

2) Have them report individually on specifically what they did.

3) If it did not get done ask how it will get done�don't let them off the hook.

4) Let them take ownership of the problem.

5) Help them come up with the solution to the problem. Let them have ownership of the solution. Give them the credit.

Help them understand that the responsibility still rests upon their shoulders, but you are there to help.

Communication--

The second key to successful completion of and assignment is to understand the assignment.

1) Make sure they understand the assignment. If they don't understand the assignment they will not complete it.

2) Ask open-ended questions. What if�What do you think�How could we�

3) Set next to them; not across the table. solve the problem together, not master slave.

4) Mirror their posture. Get their pulse.

5) Make sure that they understand that they are to communicate what is going on to their assigned families.

6) Get a commitment from them.

7) Don't rush the meeting so fast that you don't have time to draw out and effectively communicate.

Planning--

Effective planning needs to take place. This is an exercise that needs to take place with both the master and the steward. Both need to set goals for what should be accomplished. some of those goals might be:

1) Have a specific time and place that meeting take place every month. This helps in consistency.

2) Look at talents, needs strengths and wealnesses when giving our assignments.

3) Ask them questions that determine what needs to be accomplished with each person?

4) What can we do to get Matt to one activity this month?

5) What specific steps are you going to take?

6) What is the time-frame for each step?

7) Who else do you need to help in the process?

Teach that the responsibility still rests upon the shoulders of the Home teacher, but that you are there to help do what ever it takes to get Matt to be more active?

Motivation--

Share experiences of success, help them understand their individual talents, make them fell wanted.

1) Make sure that you thank for a job well done.

2) Don't give everyone the same standard calling, be specific in helping them understand that they are unique and that it is their talents that will make this calling successful�not someone elses.

3) Make them understand that they are wanted - Everyone wants to be wanted.

I pray that we may complete our stewardship in a plaesing manner that will have the Lord say of us �Well done, thou good and faithful servant�