RESPONSIVE READING Stewardship Matthew 25:14-30 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods, And unto one he gave five talents, to another to another one; to every man according to his ability; and straightway took his journey. into two, and several Then he that had received traded with the same, and the five talents went and made them other five talents. And likewise other two. he that received two, he also But had received one and digged his lord's money. of those he that had earth, and hid After a long time the reckoneth with them. and lord went servants gained in the cometh, And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 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. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredest unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, 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. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: