We're continuing our 40 day Lent series today. Glad you're here.
Day 32
Our Bible text today is Matthew 25: 14 - 30 ...
“For it is just like a man going on a journey. He called his own slaves and turned over his possessions to them. 15 To one he gave five talents; to another, two; and to another, one—to each according to his own ability. Then he went on a journey. Immediately 16 the man who had received five talents went, put them to work, and earned five more. 17 In the same way the man with two earned two more. 18 But the man who had received one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money.
19 “After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five talents approached, presented five more talents, and said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents. Look, I’ve earned five more talents.’
21 “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy!’
22 “Then the man with two talents also approached. He said, ‘Master, you gave me two talents. Look, I’ve earned two more talents.’
23 “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy!’
24 “Then the man who had received one talent also approached and said, ‘Master, I know you. You’re a difficult man, reaping where you haven’t sown and gathering where you haven’t scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went off and hid your talent in the ground. Look, you have what is yours.’
26 “But his master replied to him, ‘You evil, lazy slave! If you knew that I reap where I haven’t sown and gather where I haven’t scattered, 27 then you should have deposited my money with the bankers. And when I returned I would have received my money back with interest.
28 “‘So take the talent from him and give it to the one who has 10 talents. 29 For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have more than enough. But from the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 30 And throw this good-for-nothing slave into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’"
Not only has every Believer been gifted by the Holy Spirit in order to play a unique and important role in this world, but today's Bible verses show us that Jesus is definitely concerned with how you treat others. In the way that the master questions and appraises his employees, we see that Jesus is He’s concerned with how we've used the gifts that He has given us.
These gifts were given in order for us to to carry out Christ's work, to be His hands and feet and heart on this earth until the day that He returns - and we will be judged on how well we used them.
Each and every Christ-follower was placed on this earth with a plan, a purpose for our lives, and certain unique gifts that we can share with others to make God’s presence known, and to show His love to those around us.
"Some of us have been born with many visible gifts, extraordinary gifts, and others of us have been born with small, even unnoticeable gifts, but we all have gifts" (Andy Bales) . The message of this parable is that we must not be afraid, or hindered, from using whatever gift we have. Our gifts need to be extended into the world, and poured into others, so that the gifts can be multiplied and compounded into something greater!
Jesus promises us that if we are faithful with a little, we will be given much! Can you imagine standing before Jesus, the Lord of the Universe, and hearing those sweet words, “Well done, good and faithful servant”?
Let’s pray for courage to use our gifts, to fulfill our purpose, and to truly matter in the Kingdom by considering others more important than ourselves.