Use Your Gifts: Children’s Sermon on the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30)

This free object lesson based children’s message is from Matthew 25:14-30, where Jesus teaches the Parable of the Talents. Download our message notes below, gather your supplies, and watch our teaching example as you prepare. This lesson is perfect for children’s church, Sunday School, or anytime you need a short kids sermon.

“Use Your Gifts!” Children’s Sermon on Matthew 25:14-30, the Parable of the Talents

Main Objective: The parable of the talents is much more than a financial tale. In this story, we see the importance of using our blessings wisely and sharing with others. This doesn’t just refer to monetary possessions or physical belongings, but to the time and talents that God gives all of us. By sharing this parable with children, we communicate the importance of recognizing that our abilities have purpose and value in many ways.

Law/Gospel Theme: Everything we have comes from God. The parable of the talents might seem to contain an element of works-based focus, as the suspicious man is admonished for not doing anything with his talent…but he is also criticized for demonstrating a lack of trust for the master. God is not angrily glaring, waiting for us to make a blunder or not match up to His expectations. All that He gives is done out of love, and He wants us to use our gifts in order to share and to receive even more blessings. In doing so, we live as Christ did, serving others and giving sacrificially in order to honor the Lord.

Optional Materials: Box with various “treasures” such as important jewelry or valuable items; or fun share-able toys.

Bible Passage: Matthew 25:14-30

• You can watch a teaching demonstration of this children’s sermon on our YouTube
• Don’t miss the Bible craft ideas for this same passage
• See our full Sunday School lesson on Matthew 25:13-40
• Compare Don’t Bury Your Talent on Sermons4Kids
• Compare the children’s sermon on Matthew 25:14-30 on rfour.org

Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) Children’s Sermon

Greet children, carrying a closed box and perhaps a shovel of some sort:

Hello, children of God! Guess what? I have something really special in here. I just finished digging it up, actually, because I had it hidden in a very special place. It’s so fantastic that I don’t want anything to happen to it, so I buried it! In fact, this is so special that I’m not sure if I can show you. You might get it dirty or breathe on it or something…maybe I should just bury it completely. That would keep it safe, wouldn’t it? (Allow a few moments of response)

Well, I guess since I dug it up, I can show you a little peek…but you’d better stand back first. I don’t want anything to happen to this. (Carefully remove the items from the box, showing children whatever toys, jewelry, or valuables were inside.) Phew! There we go…these are pretty special things, aren’t they? That’s why I hardly ever look at them or use them. I mean, if I had these out and about, they might get broken, or dirty, or lost or something. I just can’t risk that! Maybe I should go ahead and bury them again…

Then again, if I keep them buried, I won’t really get to enjoy them and appreciate them, will I? Come to think of it, no one will be able to enjoy and appreciate them. If I use them, then others can see how special they are. I can share the joy I’ve been given with others if I don’t keep these to myself. And I’ll bet I could maybe even take them to a store, if I wanted, and sell them, to get even more special things! I can’t do any of that if I bury this box all over…

You know, Jesus told a story about something similar. In the Bible, Jesus talked about someone who gave money to three of his servants, before going on a trip. The man gave different amounts to each person, and he wanted them to use the money wisely and make more money. Well, two of the men did what they were supposed to, using the money to make more (the money in this story was called “talents”, by the way). But another servant, who had the smallest amount of money, refused to use it or spend it. He was so worried that he buried his money! When the master came back, he was pleased with the servants who used their talents and earned more…but he was angry with the one who hid his away. He said at least the man could have put the money in the bank to save with interest. He didn’t do what was intended with the entrusted money.

Now, why would Jesus tell a story like this? His parables always had purposes, after all. In this, He wanted to remind us that God gives us special blessings, and wants us to use them well. Some people are talented in school or academic work, and others are really good at sports or recreation outside. Maybe you have a talent for talking or making friends…Well, none of those things will do much good if we don’t use them well. If you are great at painting and hide away your art supplies, you can’t share that gift with others around you! God doesn’t want us to hide or hold onto what we have, but to use it to bless other people. If we have material things like money or toys, we can share those with people we know. If He has given us talents, those have a special purpose, and we can honor God by using our talents to love and serve Him and one another. And you know what the greatest gift He gave us is? That’s right…Jesus! Jesus lived a life of sharing and sacrifice, and gave His whole life in order to save all of us. When we give things away, great and remarkable things happen. Why don’t we thank God for His blessings, and ask Him to help us use them for others?

Children’s Prayer Moment

(Have kids repeat each line)
Dear God,
Thank you for the Bible
Thank you for the words and life of Jesus
We know you give us special gifts and blessings
Help us to use them to bless others
Help us be wise with what we have
We love you, God!
In Jesus name, Amen!

Bible Verses/story to Reference:
Matthew 25:14-30

“For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. ¹⁵ To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. ¹⁶ He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. ¹⁷ So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. ¹⁸ But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. ¹⁹ Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. ²⁰ 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.’ ²¹ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.^[e] You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ ²² And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ ²³ 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.’ ²⁴ He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, ²⁵ so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ ²⁶ But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? ²⁷ Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. ²⁸ So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. ²⁹ For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. ³⁰ And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
-Matthew 25:14-30