PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 25:14-30
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21)
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)?
Do I appreciate the value of the blessings I have received?
My money, education, freedom, abilities, opportunities, time, connections, etc.,
As God’s children, and as Jesus followers, we are ALL blessed with something.
Even the poor or disadvantaged have something: mouths, hands, minds, time.
The question is not how much, but what we do with what that we do have!.
Jesus explains that in God’s kingdom we are blessed to be a blessing.
Whatever we have, much or little, is intended for helping, loving, serving others.
This is how we increase the blessing; by sharing it we gain even more.
If we horde or waste our blessings, we not only rob others but also ourselves.
The one who refuses to use what he has loses what he could have had: more!
Don’t focus on what you don’t have, but on what you do have, how you’re using it.
I sense the Lord gently challenging me, am I multiplying or burying His gifts?
PRAYER
Lord, impress upon my heart the implications and consequences of wasting the many gifts and opportunities You have trusted me with.
To break out of a protective cocoon and step out willingly without fear – to invest in others for the sake of Christ – instead of biding time in security and not getting into the ‘mess’ of our world- but just taking care of self. Even in retirement we can be engaged – connecting with others and bearing ‘fruit’ for the kingdom – being busy in it and not sitting on our own pet securities – whatever they are (money, traditions , habits). I want to be busy – there is no such thing as retirement – yes from a job maybe – but not as a believer. To bless others and be doing. You got to be doing if you are to be blessed with a “well-done”.
God has entrusted us with gifts to be used in serving Him. All that I have is His but for me to use in His service whether talents, time, money, resources, gifts. As I begin a new day in His presence I need to bring all of my work, daily living into His service. He needs to be the Ruler of my heart, thoughts and resources.
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.
And we believe thy Word,
Though dim our faith may be,
Whate’er for thine we do, O Lord,
We do it unto thee.
To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag,[a] each according to his ability. (Matt 25: 15). God gave us responsibilities each according to our ability to manage them. He was the one who formed us, He saw us before we were born, He knew us more than anyone else. Included in our responsibilities is a calling – each according to his ability – we each have our calling. The Lord expects us to be faithful with our calling.
Lord give me the wisdom to clearly see my calling and the passion to exercise it.