Matthew 25:14-30

“His master replied, ‘Well done! You are a good and faithful servant. You’ve been faithful over a little. I’ll put you in charge of much. Come, celebrate with me.’” - Matthew 25:23 CEB

A few days ago, my dad shared a portion of his coin collection with me. Now, he’s not an avid collector; he just happened to have a few interesting coins worth looking at. An all silver quarter. A Sacajawea coin. A buffalo nickel. Things of that nature. And it reminded me of how unique we each are in what we bring to the table. 

In today's passage, Jesus tells the parable of the talents, a story about responsibility, faithfulness, and the way God entrusts each of us with gifts. Three servants receive different amounts of talents before their master goes away. Two invest what they’ve been given and see growth; one buries his talent out of fear. The story isn’t just about money—it’s about the ways we respond to the gifts, opportunities, and callings God places in our lives. Faithfulness isn’t measured by comparison but by what we do with what we’ve received.

The master’s return highlights accountability and the joy of stewardship. Those who took risks, who engaged with what they were given, are praised: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” The servant who hides his talent is rebuked—not for failing to meet an impossible standard, but for refusing to engage, for letting fear dictate inaction. The parable reminds us that God’s vision for our lives involves growth and participation, not passivity or perfection. Love, generosity, and courage are the currencies of faithful living.

This passage challenges us to consider what we might be burying—gifts left dormant, opportunities ignored, kindnesses unsaid. It asks us to take what God has entrusted to us and act with courage, creativity, and trust. Growth often comes with risk, but even small steps of faithful action are noticed and honored. The story isn’t about punishment, nor is the story about waiting until you’ve collected unique coins; it’s an invitation to life lived fully, embracing the ways God calls us to multiply what we’ve been given for the good of the world. - Allison