URC Daily Devotion Thursday, 12 March 2026

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Thursday, 12 March 2026 
 

St Matthew 25: 14 – 30

‘For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them;  to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents.  In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents.  But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.  After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them.  Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, “Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.”  His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.”  And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, “Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.”  His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.”  Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, “Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed;  so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.”  But his master replied, “You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter?  Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest.  So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents.  For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.  As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Reflection

This parable is familiar and it is used to teach us about productivity and success in handling our money, gifts and talents. But I’ve always felt sorry for the third servant, who hides his master’s money. He states he knew his master was harsh; ‘reaping where you didn’t sow, gathering where you didn’t scatter seed’. The master was strict, a ruthless business man, taking every opportunity to make money, even at the expense of others. Surely the master was dishonest in his dealings, if he was prepared to harvest profit from other’s work? 

Putting this parable into context helps. It is set within Jesus’s teachings about His return; we’re to be prepared, ready and alert, because around us are signs of the Master’s return. The length of time the Master is away is ambiguous on purpose. He went on a ‘long journey’ and returned ‘after much time had passed’, just like the return of Jesus to earth. This I think is the message for today; are we ready, prepared and waiting eagerly for our Masters return; or are we afraid and hiding our gifts in the sand, like the third servant?

We are called to serve with common sense and good stewardship of all we have, but Jesus also gives us the gift of serving others with compassion, encouragement, and discernment. We must be looking around at people in our household; both our actual and spiritual families, where we can encourage talent, draw people out of burying their head in the sand and show them how to use the gifts God has given them. Within our churches we have so much opportunity to include those who don’t see themselves as gifted or talented. Talent these days seems to imply fame or prodigy; you have to be able to do something spectacular to be called talented. But that’s not the talent we are given; we are called to be prepared and alert, not just to the signs of Jesus coming again, but to the people around us, for we have the ability to help them to be ‘good and faithful servants’ too. 

Prayer 

Lord, in everything we do today, 
may we be awake to your Spirit, 
nudging us to help others.
May we sow seeds, 
pray and watch your Harvest grow.
May we use our talents to encourage,
show compassion 
and include everyone you bring to our care.  
May our churches thrive and flourish, 
as we double the gifts we have been given.
To be used in your Kingdom and for your glory, 
until you come again. Amen 


 

Today’s writer

Jo Patel, Local Church Leader, Wattisfield & Diss URCs

New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.