SCRIPTURE
“For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise, he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.” Matthew 25:14-18 (KJV)
MESSAGE
This parable deals with good stewardship and accountability over the gifts and talents that we receive from the Lord. A steward is one that is put in charge to handle the affairs of another. In the biblical sense, God’s children are stewards entrusted with His durable wealth and possessions, to dress it (i.e. manage and use it appropriately) as directed by the Holy Spirit in accomplishing His plans and purposes on earth. God owns the world and its fullness, He gave it to Our Lord Jesus who died and has willed it to believers, making us steward of everything.
The parable above represents the gift, talent and resources God has given each of us based on our abilities and he expects us to invest them wisely to His glory. The two stewards were rewarded for being productive and for making most of what was entrusted into their care and maximizing it. Their master told them“Well done good and faithful servant, you have been faithful in few things; I will put you over many things, come and share your master’s happines”Jesus called the third person a wicked, lazy servant. His master said he could have been wise enough to deposit his money at the bank to earn some interest. He took from the third person and added to the one who now had ten. (Matthew 25:19-30). You are to be good stewards of what the Lord has entrusted into your care until He returns.
PRAYER / CONFESSION
Dear Father, I acknowledge that I am a steward of everything You have entrusted to me. I commit to being a faithful steward of my time, talents, gifts, and all the resources, using them to expand Your kingdom and to bring glory to Your name in the name of the Lord Jesus. Amen.
WISDOM NUGGET
“For unto everyone that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath” Matthew 25: 29 (KJV)