Module 2
Faithful Stewards: The Parables of Jesus
“His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” — Matthew 25:21
Lesson
What You Will Learn
- Interpret the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14–30)
- Explain the parable of the unjust steward (Luke 16:1–13) without endorsing dishonesty
- Compare the faithful steward (Luke 12:42) and the rich fool (Luke 12:16–21)
- Apply “faithful in little” to your present circumstances
Lesson Notes
The Talents (Matthew 25:14–30)
In Jesus' day a talent was a large measure of money, not a skill. (Our English word for natural ability comes from this parable.) A master gave five, two, and one talents, “to every man according to his several ability” (25:15). The servants with five and two put the money to work and doubled it. Both received the same words: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” God rewards faithfulness, not amount.
The third servant said, “I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth” (25:25). He also had a harsh picture of his master. Fear and a wrong view of God led him to bury what he was given. Many of us have buried gifts because we were afraid of failing again.
The Unjust Steward (Luke 16:1–13)
A manager accused of wasting his master's goods was about to lose his job. He called in his master's debtors and reduced their bills so they would welcome him later. Surprisingly, “the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely” (16:8). This is one of the harder parables, and Bible teachers have discussed it for centuries.
The master praised his shrewd foresight, not his dishonesty; Jesus still calls him unjust. Jesus then draws four lessons: be as thoughtful about eternal things as worldly people are about this life; use money to bless people (16:9); be faithful in little (16:10–11); and remember you cannot serve two masters (16:13).
The Faithful Steward and the Rich Fool
Jesus asked, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?” (Luke 12:42). A faithful steward makes sure others are cared for.
In Luke 12:16–21, a rich farmer had a great harvest and planned bigger barns so he could “eat, drink, and be merry.” God called him a fool. His problem was not planning (Joseph planned, too). He stored up only for himself, assumed he controlled tomorrow, and was not “rich toward God” (12:21).
Faithful Right Where You Are
Stewardship does not wait for release or a bigger paycheck. You are already entrusted with time, a few dollars, skills, relationships, and words that can build others up (1 Peter 4:10). Faithfulness in these things is real stewardship.
The master in the parable returns. Accountability can sound frightening, but it is good news: it means what you do with small things matters to God.
Key Terms
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Talent | In Jesus' day, a large measure of money or silver |
| Parable | A story Jesus told to teach a spiritual truth |
| Shrewd | Wise and forward-thinking in practical matters |
| Rich toward God | Using what we have for God's purposes, not only for ourselves (Luke 12:21) |
In-Class Activities
Parable Comparison Chart
Make a chart for four stories: the talents, the unjust steward, the faithful steward, and the rich fool. For each, write: what was entrusted, what the steward did, how the master responded, and one lesson for you.
Unbury the Talent
In small groups, read Matthew 25:24–25. List fears that cause people to bury what God gave them. Then each person privately names one buried “talent” (a skill, a few dollars, a relationship, a gift) and one small, wise step to put it to work.
Assignment: Parable Study Paper
Choose one parable from this module and write one page:
- Summarize the story in your own words.
- What does it teach about God?
- What does it teach about stewardship?
- What is one change you will make this week because of it?
Graded with the Module Assignment Rubric.
Reflection Journal
The third servant said, “I was afraid.” What fears have caused you to bury something God placed in your hands? What would faithfulness look like with what you have today, even if it seems small?
Prayer focus: Ask God to replace fear with faithfulness and to help you use what He has given you, however small it seems.
Weekly Reading & Devotions
Unburying the Talent
In the parable of the talents, two servants doubled what they were given, and one buried his in the ground. When the master returned, the buried talent came back untouched. The servant explained, “I was afraid.”
Fear buries many things. Some of us buried a gift after someone laughed at it. Some buried a dream after one failure. Some stopped trying with money because every attempt seemed to end in loss. Fear feels like protection, but it keeps what God gave us from bearing fruit.
Notice that the servant with two talents heard exactly the same words as the servant with five: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” God is not grading on amount. He is looking for faithfulness. That is good news for anyone starting over with very little.
Faithfulness can start this week, right where you are. Use a skill to help someone. Set aside a little of what you receive. Keep a promise. Small, faithful steps are how buried talents come back to life.
Think About It
- What “talent” have you buried out of fear? ______________________
- Why do you think God measures faithfulness instead of amount? ______________________
- What is one faithful step you can take this week? ______________________
Daily Devotions for Week 2
According to Ability
And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.— Matthew 25:15 (KJV)
God knows what you can carry. He entrusts according to ability, not to make you compare, but to help you grow.
Reflect: Where are you comparing yourself to others?
Pray: Lord, help me be faithful with my portion.
Do: Thank God for one gift that is uniquely yours.
I Was Afraid
And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.— Matthew 25:25 (KJV)
Fear and a harsh picture of God caused this servant to bury his gift. God's love casts out that fear.
Reflect: What picture of God do you carry?
Pray: Lord, show me Your true heart so I can stop hiding.
Do: Name one fear and give it to God in prayer.
Faithful in Least
He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.— Luke 16:10 (KJV)
Small things are where character is built. Nothing faithful is wasted.
Reflect: What small thing deserves your faithfulness today?
Pray: Lord, make me faithful in little things.
Do: Do one small task with full care and honesty.
The True Riches
If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?— Luke 16:11 (KJV)
How we handle money trains us for what matters more: people, purpose, and eternal things.
Reflect: What are the “true riches” in your life?
Pray: Lord, train me to handle money so I can be trusted with true riches.
Do: List three true riches you are thankful for.
Good Stewards of Grace
As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.— 1 Peter 4:10 (KJV)
Stewardship includes every gift God gave you, used to serve others.
Reflect: Who could your gift serve this week?
Pray: Lord, use my gifts to bless others.
Do: Use one skill to help someone today.
Module Quiz
- 1.
In the parable of the talents, a talent was:
- 2.
The servants with five and two talents received:
- 3.
In Luke 16, the master commended the unjust steward for his:
- 4.
The rich fool's main problem was that he planned ahead.
- 5.
Why did the third servant bury his talent?