Matthew
25:14-30 - '14
Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants
and entrusted his property to them. 15
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. 16 The man who
had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work
and gained five more. 17 So
also, the one with the two talents gained two more. 18
But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in
the ground and hid his master's money.19
After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled
accounts with them. 20 The man
who had received the five talents brought the other five. 'Master,'
he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five
more.' 21 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!' 22
The man with the two talents also came. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted
me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.' 23
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!' 24
Then the man who had received the one talent came. 'Master,'
he said, 'I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have
not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25
So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See,
here is what belongs to you.' 26
His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I
harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered
seed? 27 Well then, you should
have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned
I would have received it back with interest. 28
'Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents.
29 For everyone who has will
be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have,
even what he has will be taken from him. 30
And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where
there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
1
Corinthians 10:13 - '13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God
is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.
But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you
can stand up under it.'
1
Corinthians 4:1-2 - '1 So
then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted
with the secret things of God. 2
Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove
faithful.'
2
Peter 1:3-4 - '3 His divine
power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through
our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
4 Through these he has given
us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you
may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in
the world caused by evil desires.'