The Talents
A master entrusts his servants with talents (money). Two invest and double theirs; one buries his. The faithful servants are rewarded; the fearful one loses everything.
Matthew 25:14-30
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The Story
Jesus said, 'A man going on a journey called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.
The man who had received five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. So also, the one with two talents gained two more. But the man who had received one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.
After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.
The man who had received five talents brought the other five. "Master," he said, "you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more." His master replied, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!"
The man with two talents also came. "Master, you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more." His master replied, "Well done, good and faithful servant!"
Then the man who had received one talent came. "Master," he said, "I knew that you are a hard man. So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you."
His master replied, "You wicked, lazy servant! You should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten talents."'
The Three Servants
Kids Version
Jesus told a story about a rich man going on a trip.
Before leaving, he called three servants. 'Take care of my money while I'm gone.'
To the first servant, he gave FIVE bags of gold. To the second, TWO bags. To the third, ONE bag. Then he left.
The first servant got to work! He invested the money, started a business, worked hard. Soon he had TEN bags of gold—double what he started with!
The second servant did the same thing. He worked hard and turned two bags into FOUR bags!
But the third servant was scared. 'What if I lose the money?' So he dug a hole and BURIED his bag of gold. There it sat, doing nothing.
Finally, the master came home.
The first servant said, 'Master! You gave me five bags. Look—I made five MORE!'
'WELL DONE!' said the master. 'You were faithful with a little. Now I'll give you MORE responsibility! Come celebrate with me!'
The second servant said, 'You gave me two bags. I made two more!'
'WELL DONE! Come celebrate!'
Then the third servant came. 'Master, I was scared. So I buried your gold. Here it is. I didn't lose it!'
The master was NOT happy. 'You lazy servant! You could have at least put it in the bank to earn interest! Give your gold to the first servant!'
The lesson? God gives each of us talents—abilities, time, opportunities. He wants us to USE them for Him, not hide them! When we're faithful with what God gives us, He trusts us with even more!
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Characters in This Story
Scripture — Matthew 25:14-30 (KJV)
14For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
15And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. talents: a talent is 187.pounds 10.ten shillings, chap.18.24
16Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
17And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
18But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.
19After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
20And 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.
21His lord said unto him, Well done, thou 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.
22He 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.
23His 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.
24Then 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:
25And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
26His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
27Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
28Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
29For 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.
30And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Memory Verse
“For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.”
— Matthew 25:14 (KJV)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story of “The Talents” in the Bible?
A master entrusts his servants with talents (money). Two invest and double theirs; one buries his. The faithful servants are rewarded; the fearful one loses everything. This story is found in Matthew 25:14-30.
Where is “The Talents” found in the Bible?
“The Talents” is found in Matthew 25:14-30, in the book of Matthew.
What can children learn from “The Talents”?
This story teaches children about Using gifts for God, Faithfulness, Responsibility, Accountability. A rich man gave money to three servants before a trip. Two servants worked hard and doubled the money. One servant buried his in the ground! Guess which ones made the master happy?