14 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.15 And 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.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.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: 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, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:27 Thou oughtest therefore 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.
Matthew 25:14-30 

Today’s text is such an important teaching of Jesus to help us understand how God views us and our resources. There are 3 key words that help us to understand this text.

Ownership– The “man traveling into a far country” represents God. He gives to his servants (us) what talents (our resources, talents, and time, everything we have). He is the owner of what they have. They belong to him, and what they have belongs to him.

Responsibility– The 3 servants in the text have a short amount of time to use the resources they were given to increase the resources and estate of their master. Some of them took their responsibility seriously and worked hard with what they were given. Another one took the easy way out, and didn’t take their responsibility seriously.

Accountability– The servants didn’t know when their master would be back, but He did come back! They answered for what they did and what they did not do, and they were rewarded or punished based on what they did with their masters resources.

Application:
God is the owner of everything you have and are. He has given you the responsibility to manage what you have been given. One day you will be held accountable for what you do with what you’ve been given. What kind of servant are you?