The loss involves exclusion, both from stewardship, and ruling in the coming kingdom. The servant who received one talent is considered wicked and lazy, because he put no effort into stewarding, no effort into increase. He was rebuked; and then he suffered then loss. Take the talent away and give it to the one who has 10 talents - so he loses stewardship. The opportunities he had - he doesn't have anymore.
Instead of entering the joy of the Master, he's put into outer darkness, where there's weeping and gnashing of teeth. That's a reference to the celebration, the wedding feast. Those who were in it, the place was full of light, the place full of joy; but for those outside, it's dark. They're excluded from sharing the joy and glory of that millennial kingdom with Christ.
What's the weeping and gnashing of teeth? Just the grief at realising how great the loss is; and then the anger (or frustration) at the failure to do something with the opportunities that were given. Scripture over and over points out that, if we do what God calls us to do, we will reign with Him, and have glory in His kingdom; but if we don't, we will suffer loss. In the last part of the second parable, the citizens who hated Him, and wouldn't have Him reign - there was a judgement of them that followed.
Finally, the last part I want to look at is: what does it mean to be faithful? How I could do it?
Why does God consider faithfulness so important? Why is it it's not your talent, or your gift, that's important? Why does He consider faithfulness? There's a whole number of reasons…
1) God Himself was faithful.
Deuteronomy 7:9 – “Know the Lord your God is a faithful God”.
It's the nature of God to be faithful, reliable, trustworthy.
2) Jesus Himself modelled faithfulness, because He came to represent what God is like. He was faithful.
Hebrews 3:1 – “Consider holy brethren, and partakers of the heavenly calling (or sharing in this heavenly or great calling), consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Jesus Christ, who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, just like Moses was faithful in all His house”.
He identifies that we have a calling to share with Christ; and Christ was faithful in what was entrusted to Him.
3) Faithfulness is required of sons.
Hebrews 3:6 – “Christ was a Son over His house, whose house we are, if we hold the confidence, and rejoicing firm to the end”.
Jesus was faithful as a Son; and so, if we're a son, we need to be faithful as well.
4) Faithfulness is required of all servants.
1 Corinthians 4:2 – “It's required of servants, that after they've been checked, they're found to be faithful”.
5) Faithfulness is required in all emerging leaders.
2 Timothy 2:2 – “The things you've heard from me among many witnesses, commit them to faithful men who will reproduce, or teach others”.
Galatians 5:22 – “Faithfulness (or faith, but actually the word can be translated faithfulness), is a fruit of the Spirit”.
Just as peace develops in our life, as we yield to the Holy Spirit; and love flows of our life, as we yield to the Holy Spirit, instead of reacting; so also faithfulness develops in our life, as we surrender to the Holy Spirit. He leads us to be faithful.
It's quite a good prayer to pray: Lord, today create in me a faithful and a loyal heart. Give me a heart that's faithful. Holy Spirit, I yield to You, help me be faithful in what is entrusted to me.
It's not just church things; it's every aspect of your life. You're trusted with a house, be faithful in the stewarding of it, and maintaining it, looking out for it. Faithful with your children - be faithful in your raising of them, and in leading them towards the Lord. Jesus will reward faithfulness - well done, good and faithful servant, faithful in few things, I'll make you ruler over many.
Faithfulness is everywhere in the Bible, from one end to another, and people are listed in the Bible as being faithful, and they're trusted. People like Nehemiah… When Nehemiah had to leave the building of the walls, and go back and for a season, he found faithful men he could entrust, that wouldn't be bribed, wouldn't be corrupted, who could be relied on to do the job. So faithfulness is always important. You want a faithful man, more than a talented man.