Sermons Based on the Lectionary of the Syrian Orthodox Church

Aneede Sunday / Sunday of Departed Faithful

Sermon / Homily on Matthew 25:14-30

"To whom much is given, much is required."

by Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Sermons From Seattle

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

The following is a postscript that could be part of Matthew 25:14-30 and Jesus' parable about the five talents, two talent and one talent.

"At the conclusion of the parable in Luke 12:41-48 and like an appendix to that parable, Jesus adds one more teaching. This teaching of Jesus is enormously true and has been etched into our hearts and minds: "To whom much is given, much will be required. To whom much is entrusted, much will be demanded." There is no other place in the Scriptures that you hear this teaching of Jesus. It is only here, in the Gospel of Luke, that we hear this profound teaching of Jesus: To whom much is given, much is required. To whom much is entrusted by others, much is demanded.

What does this teaching of Jesus mean for us?

We all realize that when God has given us resources, gifts, talents, and aptitudes, God wants us to use those gifts. God wants us to use our God-given gifts, however varied and numerous those gifts are.

The more that God has given to you, the more God requires of you. We remember Jesus' parables about talents, those with five, two and one talent. In that parable, the person who had been given five talents, doubled his talent to ten talents. The person who had been given two talents, doubled his talent to four talents. Both were commended for using and multiplying their talents. The one who had been given two talents was not expected to make ten talents; the person with five talents was. The more God has given to you, the more God expects from you. In our hearts, we know that is true.

We hear Jesus' words, "To whom must is entrusted, from that person much more will be demanded." All leaders of the world need to grasp what Jesus was teaching through these words. In politics, business, medicine, education, sports, church and in every area of life, there are exceptionally gifted people who have been entrusted with inordinate gifts. Jesus taught that much more will be demanded/expected/insisted of these people on whom God has showered inordinate gifts and resources.

What does that mean for you, for us? We all need to ascertain the resources that God has abundantly showered on each one of us, and fully use those resources that God has entrusted to us. As we wait for Second Coming of Christ, who comes unexpectedly like a thief in the night, we are to fully and wisely use the talents and resources that God has showered upon us. And to those on whom God has entrusted with more gifts, God expects more of them. Amen.

See Also:

Be Alert and Ready for Action
by Edward F. Markquart

Sermons, Bible Commentaries and Bible Analyses for Aneede Sunday

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