Daily text, [He] entrusted his belongings to them.—Matt. 25:14.

[Queen Esther]

[He] entrusted his belongings to them.—Matt. 25:14.

The parable of the talents reveals that the master gave to one slave five talents, to another two, and to still another just one. (Matt. 25:15) Although each slave received a different number, the master expected all of them to be diligent in using the talents, that is, in serving to the best of their ability in the ministry. (Matt. 22:37; Col. 3:23) In the first century, starting at Pentecost 33 C.E., Christ’s followers began doing business with the talents. Their diligence in the preaching and disciple-making work is well-documented in the Bible book of Acts. (Acts 6:7; 12:24; 19:20) After the death of the apostles, Satan fomented apostasy, which flourished for many centuries. During that time, there were no sustained efforts to fulfill the commission to make genuine disciples of Christ. But that would all change during “the harvest,” that is, the last days.—Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43. w15 3/15 3:4, 8