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In Eastern lands, and ancient times, slaves were artizans, workmen, whose profit belonged to their master. The apostle Paul thought of himself as a slave put in trust, placed under trusts.

I. Christ's talents. Such we are to regard all gifts, powers, or possessions that are entrusted to us. Our special talent is that one thing in which we stand out distinct from others.

II. Christ's apportionment of His talents. Two rules decide the apportionment.

1. The talent must match the capacity.

2. The talents put together must secure ability for all the work which Christ wants done.

III. Christ's expectation concerning His talents.

1. Service by their use.

2. Culture by their use.

IV. Christ's judgment of those entrusted with His talents.

1. Judgment is the same for all trusts.

2. It is based on quality, not results.

3. The judgment is severe, not on those who tried and failed, but on those who never tried.

4. The reward is simply other and larger trusts.

(Selected.)

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KJV: 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.

WEB: "For it is like a man, going into another country, who called his own servants, and entrusted his goods to them.