Matthew 25: 14-30
¹⁴ For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.

Who is the Man? Where is the "far country?" Who are "His Own servants?" What are the goods? The man is Jesus and the "traveling" to a far country represents His ascension into heaven. His own servants are His disciples, which includes anyone that belongs to Him. The goods are all spiritual gifts, awareness, and responsibilities upon each Christian. The goods are our responsibility to be a good spiritual steward and reach the lost.
¹⁵ And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

What are the "talents?" Is there significance in "according to their ability?" Where or what was the journey? Ability > 1Peter 4:10-11; Rom. 12: 3-6; Eph. 4:7; Matt. 4:19 (fisher’s of men)

The talents are basically the goods, which are our duty and obligation to reach out to the lost. The ability level is different with each individual but there is a basic level in EVERY individual that prompts us to reach the lost. Every Christian is an ambassador and a representative of Christ and every Christian has an obligation to witness at what level of ability we each have. The journey is the time frame from Christ's ascension until He returns for His church.
¹⁶ Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.

How would he "make" more with what he had? Any converts to the Kingdom are added talents.
¹⁷ And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
¹⁸ But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.

What does this mean? Example = Lot is the perfect example of how someone would hide their talent. Lot lost his witness by being in the midst of sin and therefore could not even convince his own family to leave; they had to be dragged out by the angels. You hide your talent when you fail to share the Gospel with anyone regardless of what excuses you may have.
¹⁹ After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.

What is the parallel? There will be a time when we will have to give an account of our service to the Lord.
²⁰ 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.
²¹ 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. The "joy" of the lord is what? Nothing will be a better reward than to hear our Lord say "well done thou good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of the Lord."
²² He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
²³ 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.
²⁴ 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:
²⁵ And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. What is meant by "hid thy talent?" Answered in vs. 18
²⁶ His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
²⁷ Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Emphasis on witnessing? The exhortation and command by Jesus to be a witness for Him. Jesus here shows that He expects us to share what we have been freely given.
²⁸ Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
²⁹ For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
³⁰ And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Where is this? This shows the seriousness of our service to the Lord and that it is not a game.