Matthew 25:14-30 and Psalm 16:11 
We continue our summer study of the Parables of Jesus, and today we conclude this series looking at the Parable of the Talents.  In this parable Jesus addresses the responsibility and glorious outcome of diligent stewardship of the assets God has given us to manage.  In this parable, the imagery of a master and three slaves is employed to drive home the truth that the responsibility of a slave is to increase the assets of his master.  The master goes on a journey, but before going he entrusts very large sums of money, in varying amounts, to his slaves - to each according to his ability.  Then, after a long time, the master returns and settles accounts with them.  The Kingdom of God, says Jesus, is like this.  Jesus is the master who has gone away, but will return.  We, his slaves, have been entrusted with assets which, as stewards, we are to use with the goal of increasing and presenting them to him upon his return.  The day of accounting will come, and thus the question we must ask ourselves is this: “Am I eagerly using what Christ has entrusted to me to advance his kingdom?”  “Is it my great desire to come to the end of this life and hear Jesus say to me, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant!’  This is the heart of those who have been purchased by the blood of Christ.  He has loved them and given himself for them that they may be brought into the glorious Kingdom of God, and into the resurrection life of the new heaven and earth, where they will be entrusted with truly great responsibilities, and where they will forever be filled with joy in his presence, and with eternal pleasures at his right hand (Psalm 16.11).