Practicing The Way:
Insights from the Parable of the Talents
Entrustment > Ownership > Faithfulness
Raimer Rojas
Entrustment > Ownership > Faithfulness
Raimer Rojas
“For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master...’" Matthew 25:14-30 (NIV)
When Mother Teresa was asked how she measured success in her ministry, she answered simply: “God has not called me to be successful. He has called me to be faithful.” Her life embodied a deep understanding of discipleship—not as the pursuit of results, but as a long obedience shaped by trust and surrender. She responded to Jesus’ invitation, took ownership of her calling, and lived in steady faithfulness, caring for "the least of these" without fanfare or applause.
This same progression is woven throughout the teachings of Jesus. In the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25), He reveals a developmental pattern: He entrusts, we take ownership, and we walk in faithfulness. It’s the natural movement of apprenticeship to Jesus. First, He calls us and places something in our care. Then, we choose to own the process of becoming like Him. And finally, we learn to live faithfully—stewarding what He has given us in love and obedience. This framework—Entrustment > Ownership > Faithfulness—is not a strategy. It’s the shape of a life formed in the way of Jesus.
We begin the journey by receiving something from Jesus Himself: His presence, His Word, His rest, and His love. He entrusts us with relationship.
At this stage, discipleship is not about what we do, but about who we are with. Jesus entrusts us with access to Himself. The call is to receive, to listen, and to linger.
Key Practices:
Behold Jesus – We are given the gift of seeing Jesus clearly through Scripture and revelation. He entrusts us with a growing vision of who He is. “And we all… behold the glory of the Lord, are being transformed…” (2 Cor. 3:18)
Abide in Jesus – We are welcomed into daily communion with Christ, remaining in Him like branches in a vine. “Abide in me, and I in you.” (John 15:4)
Rest in Jesus – We are entrusted with rest—not earned, but given. Rest becomes a place of trust and identity. “Come to me… and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28)
This phase reflects entrustment—the moment God puts something valuable into our hands: His presence, His Word, and His Spirit. It’s about receiving love before doing anything for it. From here, formation begins.
Having received Christ and His way, we now take ownership of our formation. We step into the process of becoming—mind, heart, and habits conformed to His likeness.
This is the internal transformation phase—where disciples begin to own their spiritual formation, choosing to submit every part of life to the Lordship of Christ. This is the “put off/put on” phase of growth, where we cooperate with grace through intentional formation.
Key Practices:
Renew the Mind – We intentionally replace lies with truth through the Word of God. We own our thought life. “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Rom. 12:2)
Transform the Heart – Through prayer, inner healing, and the Spirit’s work, our affections, motives, and emotional patterns are reshaped. “Create in me a clean heart, O God.” (Ps. 51:10)
Train the Body – We form habits of grace through spiritual disciplines. We train our bodies to align with Christ. “Discipline yourself for godliness.” (1 Tim. 4:7) “I discipline my body and keep it under control.” (1 Cor. 9:27)
Spiritual Development:
This is the phase of ownership—no longer passively receiving, we now take responsibility for living in the way of Jesus. Ownership does not mean self-reliance; it means intentional partnership with the Spirit. The disciple becomes a co-laborer in their own transformation.
As we are formed in Christ, we are sent by Christ. We now live outwardly, faithfully stewarding what has been entrusted to us—for the sake of others and the kingdom.
This is the external embodiment of the gospel. Now that our inner life is being shaped by Jesus, we step into the world with His mission, His power, and His compassion. The call here is to faithful stewardship—whether in success or suffering, visibility or obscurity.
Key Practices:
Make Space for the Gospel (Hospitality) – We open our homes, tables, and lives to others. We create room for people to encounter God through welcome. “Practice hospitality.” (Rom. 12:13)
Proclaim the Gospel – We speak the truth about Jesus boldly, wisely, and lovingly in our circles of influence. “Preach the word… in season and out of season.” (2 Tim. 4:2)
Demonstrate the Gospel – We heal the sick, serve the poor, show mercy, and do justice. Our actions display the reality of the kingdom. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me… to proclaim good news… liberty… recovery of sight…” (Luke 4:18–19)
Spiritual Development:
This is the stage of faithfulness. We no longer ask merely, “What do I get from Jesus?” but “What has Jesus given me to give away?” Faithfulness is not about success—it is about consistent obedience, regardless of results. This is how God multiplies His kingdom through us.
This framework is not just instructional—it’s transformational. It invites disciples into the whole journey of following Jesus:
To receive what He entrusts
To own their spiritual formation
To faithfully live on mission
Just like in the Parable of the Talents, the Master is looking not for perfection, but for faithful servants who steward what they’ve been given for the joy and spread of His kingdom.