For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property.
Matthew 25:14Matthew 25:14
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
A Story about Three Servants 14 . The kingdom is also like what happened when a man went away and put his three servants in charge of all he owned.
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Christ told the parable of the talents shortly before his crucifixion. Before His good byes, and before His warnings, this was one of the last messages, one of the last lessons, He desired to challenge His disciples with. In short, His message centers around stewardship.
Each of us has a job to do. In the story of the talents, the Master entrusts his servants with his property. To entrust is to place into someone’s care, in Greek, to give into the hands of another. It is the servant’s job to care well for the Master’s property. Matthew Henry notes that each servant is given a talent, none are without, and that it is given – none are derived solely by the servant, but instead are from the Master and ultimately for the Master. It is the same for us. All that we have comes from the Lord, whether job, family, possessions, or spiritual gifts, all are given, all are entrusted to us. The question then becomes are we being a good steward of the gifts we’ve been entrusted with?
A simple way to define successful witnessing is “taking the initiative to share the gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results up to God”. Much as successful witnessing is simply doing what you are commanded to do in the power of God and not your own, being a good steward is simply caring well for the things you have been given, in the strength and wisdom of the Lord. In jobs, we are to work as for the Lord and not for man (Colossians 3:23Colossians 3:23
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
23 Do your work willingly, as though you were serving the Lord himself, and not just your earthly master.
WP-Bible plugin). In relationships we are to love the Lord with all our hearts, and love one another as we love ourselves (Mark 12:13Mark 12:13
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
Paying Taxes
13 The Pharisees got together with Herod's followers. y Herod's followers: People who were political followers of the family of Herod the Great and his son Herod Antipas. Then they sent some men to trick Jesus into saying something wrong.
WP-Bible plugin). Paul admonishes Timothy to, “fan into flame the gift of God” (2 Timothy 1:62 Timothy 1:6
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
6 So I ask you to make full use of the gift that God gave you when I placed my hands on you. a when I placed my hands on you: Church leaders placed their hands on people who were being appointed to preach or teach . Use it well.
WP-Bible plugin), and we are to fan into flame our spiritual gifts as well (by using them-by seeking out what they are, and by praying for ways that you could minister using your gifts).
In the parable of the talents, each servant is entrusted with a different amount “according to his ability”. The Master did not expect the one with 2 talents to put this money to use and produce a profit equal to the one given 5 talents. He did, however, expect each servant to put their talents to use. The ones that did were praised and rewarded with more, the one that did not was condemned. This is not a new concept. In the business world, the employee that works diligently and wisely is rewarded with benefits and entrusted with more responsibility, where the one that squanders his time is let go. We must learn to look at our lives through the spiritual reality that we live in-to see that ALL things we have are a gift entrusted to us, and to work accordingly. It is imperative to realize at the same time, that only through the power of the Holy Spirit can we truly accomplish that which the Lord has called each of us to do. And in this realization, we see His goodness-He calls, He entrusts, and He gives the power and wisdom to accomplish His will. We are not lacking. His plan is good.
application
- What have you been entrusted with? (List everything that you can think of, in the physical realm, in relationships, and spiritually)
- Do you see these as coming from the Lord? What are some ways you could cultivate your ‘spiritual eyesight’?
- What does it look like to be a good steward of the things the Lord has entrusted you with? (Pick 3 from your list)
Remember, we CANNOT do our jobs on our own. If you have questions regarding: Who is the Holy Spirit? Why did He come? What does it mean to be filled with the Spirit? Why is the average Christian not filled with the Spirit? How can you be filled with the Spirit?
Please see: http://www.transferableconcepts.org/english/spirit/index.html
prayer
Father, thank you that you have a purpose and a job for each one of us to do. I praise you that you are wise and loving and that you have a good plan for each of our lives! Lord, I pray that you would continually open our eyes to the things that you have given us, that you entrust to our care. May we see all things as being from you and not of ourselves. Teach us to care well for what you’ve given us, give us direction and great vision for the ways that you desire to use each of us. Give us the faith to step out in your power and to accomplish the job that you have given each one of us. May we rely on you alone.
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