As workers in God’s Kingdom we are given the authority to use our time, talents, gifts, and life to live out the love of Christ.[1] What will we do with what He has so graciously given to us? Will we be like the first two servants? Or like the last servant? All of us have been called to live a life of mission rather than hoarding the gifts God has given to ourselves. Thankfully, our God is so gracious that He gave us His only Son so that salvation is not based on what we do. Now, rather than worrying about what the Master might think, we can freely go and serve our neighbors.

[1] One would think that in the parable of the Talents, this is part of what has been entrusted or given to Jesus’ disciples. He will entrust them with the Great Commission in 28:19–20. I would be reluctant, however, to limit the interpretation of the talents to divine revelation; a more general interpretation seems preferable. Since all of Jesus’ disciples are purchased with the ransom price of his life (20:28) and all are his slaves, it is their entire life that is entrusted to them by their master. Jesus’ disciples are to work with all that has been entrusted to them for the honor and advantage of the Master. (Gibbs Matthew Commentary)