Five Questions for 2025

Matthew 25:14–30

“For it [the kingdom of heaven] will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.

He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.

Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

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 his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered 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. So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

At this time of year when our minds are turned toward what we will make of the coming twelve months, Jesus’ Parable of the Talents is particularly relevant.

Three observations:

(i) All that we have is an entrustment from God

The Master ‘called his servants and entrusted to them his property.’ (v14)

James 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights…

God is the giver of every gift we hold in our hands.

1 Corinthians 4:7
What do you have that you did not receive?

Whatever position or possessions we hold, they’re on loan to us by the Lord. We are trustees, stewards of what rightfully belongs to Him, and every good gift we enjoy can be traced back to our good God.

Randy Alcorn
Stewardship isn't a subcategory of the Christian life. Stewardship is the Christian life. After all, what is stewardship except that God has entrusted to us life, time, talents, money, possessions, family, and his grace?

(ii) We each possess talents in differing measure

In Jesus’ parable, not all servants received equal talents, and the master doesn’t give an apology or an explanation for that fact.

God has not endowed all people equally. This is no injustice; the Creator can do as He pleases. In fact, it’s the difference that diversity and variety possible.

Comparing and complaining is wasted energy. Don’t wish for what another person has. You don’t know the measure by which the Lord will judge them on that day.

Luke 12:48
“… to whom much is given, much is required”

Whatever God has given you, thank Him for it and pray to use it wisely.

(iii) Jesus wants us to be productive in the Kingdom during His absence

Whether we perceive ourselves has possessing a lot or a little, if we are productive, we can all receive the commendation “Well done good faithful servant”.

If those five words “Well done good faithful servant” represent the reward toward which we strive, each word deserves our consideration. In Calvary Church, each of the five words represents a value we aspire toward.

Well – Excellence
Done – Perseverance
Good – Humility
Faithful – Faith
Servant – Generosity

If these five values are present and growing in our lives, we’ll live in a way that honours the Lord Jesus and attracts His reward.

Five Questions for 2025

1. What will I improve?

We ask this question because we want to do things ‘well’ – with excellence.

In Jesus’ parable, what the first two servants had in common is that they improved upon what they’d been given. What defines us is not simply the natural talent we’re given, but rather, how we improve upon what we’re given.

It’s a Godly trait to improve what you have. In the beginning the earth was ‘without form and void’ (Genesis 1:2) and God improved it, making it ‘very good’ (Genesis 1:31). We reflect the image of God in us when we improve our environment and ourselves.

Excellence is an attitude that seeks to do the very best with what you’re entrusted with. Regardless our status or station in life, improvement is within reach of every person.

Leo Buscaglia
“Your talent is God’s gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God.”

Charles Spurgeon
We ought to increase our capital stock. Are all the young brethren doing that? Are you increasing in gift and capacity? My brethren, do not neglect yourselves. I observe that some brethren grow, and others stand still, dwarfed and stunted… the most needful and profitable labour is that which we spend upon our own mental and spiritual improvement.

Ecclesiastes 9:10
“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might…”

2. What will I complete?

We ask this question because we want to get things ‘done’ – requiring perseverance.

In Jesus’ parable, the two servants who attracted the Master’s commendation had more than good intentions. They completed what they set out to accomplish.

God finishes what He starts.

Genesis 2:1
Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished.

Matthew 6:10
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

John 17:4
I have glorified You on earth. I have finished the work You have given me to do.

John 19:30
So when Jesus had received the sour wine He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

Philippians 1:6
Being confident of this very thing; that He who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

The examples of faith throughout the Bible are those who completed what they set out to accomplish.

Genesis 6:16
You shall make a window for the ark and you shall finish it …

Exodus 40:33
And so Moses finished the work.

1 Kings 6:14
So Solomon built the temple and finished it.

Nehemiah 6:15
So the wall was finished … in 52 days.

2 Chronicles 4:11
Hiram also made the pots, the shovels, and the basins. So Hiram finished the work that he did for King Solomon on the house of God…

Hiram means ‘noble’. It’s a noble person who sticks at a task until they complete it.

Dwight L. Moody
Give me a man who says, “This one thing I do,’ not ‘These fifty I dabble in.’”

Hebrews 10:36
For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.

3. What attitude will I choose?

We ask this question because we want to be ‘good’ people – which requires a right attitude.

Proverbs 4:23
Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

Our heart attitude is the one thing that affects everything.

Philippians 2:5
Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus …

1 Peter 5:5-6
All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favour to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

4. What will I believe for?

We ask this question because we want to be people of faith.

In Jesus’ parable, the first two servants were not afraid to take a risk. The third servant hid his money in the ground, a common security measure in ancient times.

The common denominator among people God blesses is that they’re not afraid to take a risk and believe God.

Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Matthew 9:29
“According to your faith let it be to you.”

What are you expecting God to do in your life this year? What will you believe for that is impossible for you to achieve without God?

5. Who will I serve?

We ask this question because we want to be people of generosity – we serve and refresh others.

If I accomplished all my goals for this year, who would be helped? If my plans don’t include others, they’re far too narrow and self-serving.

Isaiah 32:8
But generous people plan to do what is generous, and they stand firm in their generosity.

John 10:10
I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.

Unless we can, like Jesus, say “I’m here so that they (others) can experience a full life” my plans don’t yet reflect the nature of Jesus.

Acts 20:35
“It is more blessed to give than receive.”

Take time to write your plans in response to these five questions:

· What will I improve?
· What will I complete?
· What attitude will I choose?
· What will I believe for?
· Who will I serve?