To these, looking at the whole of Scripture, we could add intercessory prayer, testimony, musical ability, and others. Some of the gifts mentioned are as follows: governments (administration) words of wisdom (counseling) helps (helping people) words of knowledge (teaching) gifts of healing (working of miracles) prophecy (interpretation of the Word-preaching) discernment of spirits (different kinds of tongues, interpretation of tongues). Note verse 7 of 1 Corinthians 12 which says that the “manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man.” This is an opportunity to discuss with the students that God has given different gifts to different ones in the Body of Christ.
While our gifts or talents from the Lord may vary according to our abilities, we all have been given at least “one pound,” one gift or talent, which we can use for Christ.
Response: Unlike the parable given in Matthew, each one of these servants was given an equal amount of money-one pound. List the various gifts or talents which you think the pounds might represent. As His disciples they are, in fact, His servants. They have given themselves up wholly to His will and dominion. In following Christ, they have become willing slaves or bondmen of their Lord and Savior. Response: The servants represent Christians. The word servant is translated from the Greek word doulos which can mean “slave, bondman, or servant of a king.” In the New Testament epistles, doulos often denotes “one who gives himself up wholly to another’s will, or dominion.” With these facts in mind, identify whom the servants in this parable represent.Christ, after His resurrection, ascended to His Throne at the right hand of the Father, and we are now awaiting His second coming. The nobleman went away to receive a kingdom, and then returned. Response: The nobleman is representative of Jesus Christ. The word nobleman means “person of noble blood, usually princely.” Give evidence as to whom you think the nobleman represents in this parable.Our study will concentrate on our responsibility as Christ’s disciples to be faithful in using what He has given us for His service. Christ’s purpose was to educate His disciples regarding His departure to Heaven, their responsibility to carry on His work after He went away, and His eventual return. This was one of Jesus’ last teachings to His disciples, taking place just before His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and less than a week before His crucifixion. Jesus told the parable about the nobleman who was to go away, become a king, and return. In so doing, Christ, in turn, has made us “stewards of the manifold grace of God.” To be a good steward we must manage carefully and faithfully those gifts and graces (talents) which have been given to us. Our text deals with the relationships between “a certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return” (an obvious reference to Christ), and his “servants.” The word translated servant is the Greek word doulos which means “slave” or “bondman,” but can also mean “servant of a king.” In following Christ, we have become willing slaves or bondmen of our Lord and Savior, and have given ourselves up wholly to His will and dominion. Believers are also said to be stewards of God, of God’s gifts and graces, as in our key verse, 1 Peter 4:10. Paul describes Christian ministers as the stewards of God over His church (Titus 1:7). The word steward is a translation of the Greek word oikonomos, meaning “a house manager.” Great confidence was placed in these officials to whom was often entrusted the entire management of princely households. The students will be able to explain how God expects those who claim to be His followers to utilize the resources and abilities He has given them for His service.
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