Categories: Christian CommentaryLeadership

6 Lessons on service from the Parable of the Talents

I am a student of leadership, and as such I am always looking for insights on how I can best bolster my own shortcomings in the area.

Today I found some interesting nuggets of revelation I had not considered in my past readings of the parable of the talents. I want to thank the Pastor Brad Powell of Northridge Church in Plymouth Michigan for his teaching. You can find the link to the applicable service here.

In Matthew 25:14-30 we have the Parable of the Talents. There are a few simple truths that have escaped me until today.

Profitable servants don’t need instructions. They just need a mandate and the resources.

The master did not give instructions on how they were to increase his goods. But it was apparent that they had an expectation that by having his goods they were to do so.. The best producers take it upon themselves and take ownership over taking what has been given to them and making more of it. Anyone that’s not willing to make the talent better than what it was before. Is simply a servant that hasn’t had the opportunity to be rebuked yet by the master.

Profitable servants don’t operate without connecting with others

Talent reproduction requires interfacing with others. You can’t do it alone. What skills sets are required to be aggressive enough to “trade” with another. The profitable servants exchanged value. Profitable servants understand that their job is to increase the value of that which they possess. This requires recognizing the value in others and in what others have to trade with with.

Profitable servants are not content or satisfied with where they are.

There is every reason to think that the servants would have continued to trade to the masters benefit. Good servants don’t stop. They don’t stop until the master arrives and give an accounting. They don’t stop until they reap the reward given to them by the master.

Profitable servants don’t make excuses.

Great leaders are only interested in what it takes to get the job done. Period. The profitable servants didn’t make excuses for the expectations of the master. Nor did they give response that the masters expectations where to high or unreasonable.

Profitable servants don’t complain about the talents given them.

No where do we read that the servants complained that a co-servant didn’t deserve the talent given them. Nor do we hear them complain about why they didn’t get more. They simply produced with what was given.

Profitable servants don’t complain about the master

The unprofitable servant told the master all that he was, and was able to articulate accurately the expectations of his master. And used his master as an excuse not to produce.

These are not the only truths one can glean from the scripture. I’m sure others can articulate more or even expand on the ones already given. What I do know is that I am once again challenged to be a good and faithful servant in every area I am called to serve.

What about you? Is there a particular area listed above you still need to grow in? Leave a comment below.

Thanks for dropping by!

Donovan

Donovan M. Neal is the Amazon best-selling independently published author of the Third Heaven Series: a speculative Christian fantasy four book series that explores the captivating story about the fall of Lucifer. The book takes readers on an epic journey through the celestial realms, offering a unique perspective on the events surrounding Lucifer’s rebellion and his descent into darkness. In this imaginative tale, Donovan weaves together elements of Christian theology, angelic mythology, and fantastical world-building. The story delves into the cosmic conflict between good and evil, painting a vivid picture of the spiritual warfare that unfolded in the heavens. Donovan has published eleven books and is currently working on publishing five more in the year 2023 alone. His books have reached thirteen countries including India, Japan, the Philippines, Mexico, Brazil and across Europe, Canada and the US. He has sold over thirty thousand units of his books and generated over a quarter million in gross sales part time and without an agent. Donovan has produced fiction; non-fiction and most recently published a graphic novel. His genre of preference is fantasy and he has been named among such notable authors as Frank Perretti, Brian Godawa, and the late Dr. Michael S. Heiser. When he’s not writing or working, Donovan can be found gaming or enjoying various forms of media. He holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) and a graduate degree in Non-profit Management from Walden University. Prior to his current career, Donovan served in ordained ministry from 1993-2011 and has extensive experience teaching the Bible. You can learn more about him professionally if you would like by clicking here. His favorite movie is the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. He also enjoys gaming and can be found on the Playstation5 deep in Destiny 2, He’s owned most gaming systems all the way back from Atari and Pong! and has made several friends from his beloved days on World of Warcraft. A lover of such classics as chess and backgammon he loves most games and the strategy behind them. When he is not imagining comic conflicts between good and evil he is helping to secure employment for housing insecure women as the Executive Director of a non-profit in the city of Detroit and also serves in the prayer and discipleship ministry of his local church.