May 15, 2013
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 25:14-30
OBSERVATIONS/APPLICATION
I have always known this as the parable of the talents.
I like how the NIRV refers to monetary amounts, $10000, $4000, $2000.
What would I do with $2000 (or in today’s terms, more like $2,000,000)?
Would I grumble because I didn’t receive more?
Would I do nothing, for fear that I might fail to generate more?
Everyone who has will be given more… at first glance this doesn’t seem fair.
But in the beginning, everyone had something, it was only the one who refused to use what he had who lost what he could have had: more!
Everyone starts with something, no one has nothing, but what do we do with all that God has entrusted us… that is the issue here.
My money, education, freedom, abilities, opportunities, time, connections, etc., it is all something entrusted to me, what am I doing with it?
I sense the Lord gently challenging me, am I building or burying His gifts?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, impress upon my heart the implications and consequences of wasting the many gifts and opportunities You have trusted me with.
Jesus follower
trying to find His way
It is interesting that today’s parable is using the word “talent” to describe a monetary unit that each servant was given. This seems appropriate as it helps us to understand that we are to use our talents, or gifts to the best of our abilities. It is not the point of this story, in my opinion, to amass huge sums of money. But this may be part of it. The talent that was provided to each person was not given to that person to keep. This was to be returned at a set period.
So what do I do with the talents that are given to me? What do I do when I am given a task to do? I usually say yes, which is sometimes another problem, and then I go about trying to break down the task into manageable steps. I work on the project or task, and present the results within the time allotted. Sometimes I need to step back and ask why I do things. What is my motivation? Do I do things because of the expectation of others? Of God? Am I a people pleaser? (Yes) How do I balance my life between doing what others ask and what I do for myself and what I do for God? And how can I balance each of these without guilt for neglecting areas due to busyness?
I pray that my talents, and everything that is given to me will grow and be effective for use in God’s kingdom. I pray for a healthy balance in life that allows me to use what I have.
Observations:
This is the parable of the talents but in order to know what it is really about, one needs to read the introduction to the chapter, At that time the Kingdom of heaven will be like – – – a man going on a journey. He entrusted His wealth to His servants and did return eventually to find out what they did with their given gifts.
Application:
We are, I am the servant who has been given gifts to use – gifts for service. All what I have is from Him. I was created to serve. What have I done with the gifts received? This is His Kingdom and I too am on a journey – toward my eternal home. But the road traveled shows what I have accomplished with the given gifts.
I must live a life of service with an attitude of gratitude with altitude (praising Him for all what he has done and given). He has freely given and I have freely received. I was made to serve and serve I must willingly, joyfully and not miserly, slothfully, begrudgingly, lustfully, selfishly. I was created for service in His Kingdom and today I will continue to do just that with all my ability.
I must have the heart of a servant always as I live for Him. All what I have is His and so am I.
Prayer:
Lead me and guide me this day Lord by Your Comforter, Encourager, and Guide as I continue to serve You. Help me to see Your Way for my life in future days as we/I am starting a new chapter in my life in Your ‘book of life.’
We give Thee but Thine own,
Whate’er the gift may be;
All that we have is Thine alone,
A trust, O Lord, from Thee.
May we Thy bounties thus
As stewards true receive,
And gladly, as Thou blessest us,
To Thee our firstfruits give.
O hearts are bruised and dead,
And homes are bare and cold,
And lambs for whom the Shepherd bled
Are straying from the fold.
To comfort and to bless,
To find a balm for woe,
To tend the lone and fatherless
Is angels’ work below.
The captive to release,
To God the lost to bring,
To teach the way of life and peace—
It is a Christ-like thing.
And we believe Thy Word,
Though dim our faith may be;
Whate’er for Thine we do, O Lord,
We do it unto Thee.