In Matthew 25:14–30, Jesus tells the parable of the talents to show how disciples are to live faithfully in the time between his first and second coming. A master entrusts vast sums of money to his servants—an image of Christ’s extraordinary trust in his followers. Two servants invest and double what they’ve received, but the third buries his talent out of fear, revealing a distorted view of his master. When the master returns, he rewards the faithful with joy in his presence but condemns the fearful servant for doing nothing. The parable subverts human assumptions about merit and reward, revealing that God’s grace is lavish and unearned. Faithful service flows not from fear of judgment but from trust in a generous Savior who gave everything for us. Jesus calls his people to live not in passivity or fear but with courage and gratitude—pressing on with the gifts of grace he’s given—until the day we enter fully into our Master’s joy.