March 25th

Kingdom Investing

The Parable of the Talents
¹⁴ "For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. ¹⁵And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. ¹⁶Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. ¹⁷And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. ¹⁸But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord's money. ¹⁹After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. ²⁰"So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, "Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.' ²¹His lord said to him, "Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' ²²He also who had received two talents came and said, "Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.' ²³His lord said to him, "Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' ²⁴"Then he who had received the one talent came and said, "Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. ²⁵And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.' ²⁶"But his lord answered and said to him, "You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. ²⁷So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. ²⁸So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.  ²⁹"For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. ³⁰And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'   Matthew 25:14-30 NKJV 

This is a fearful passage to read, but it’s an important one for anyone claiming to be a Christian.  Like the master in the parable, God gives us talents that he expects us to invest for his kingdom profitably.  Everyday we have opportunities to use and multiply these talents for God.  If we are faithful and obediently invest, God will be pleased with us and increase our responsibility in his kingdom.  If we do not obey, knowing God’s will for us to invest, we risk being stripped of what he has entrusted to us and invite his discipline. 

We can start the investment process now by taking stock of the talents God has given us.  He has uniquely given every person resources for use in his kingdom on earth.  Since God has given us the resources, we know he expects us to invest them wisely.  Once we’ve identified them, we can then ask God to reveal the time and opportunities to invest daily.  A few examples are evangelism, intercessory prayer, financial giving, exhortation, helping widows or the poor, and exercising special gifts in ministry (music, teaching, administration, exhortation, healing, prophecy, etc.).  

We will experience great joy as our investments are multiplied in God’s kingdom. God will bless us with more and reward us when he sees that we have been faithful.  May each of us hear the Lord say, "Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.” 

Questions for further thought:

• What talents and resources has God blessed you with?
• Has God shown you how to employ what he’s given you for his kingdom?
• What are some of the excuses we might use for not serving God with our talents and resources?
• How does our use of what we have been given reflect who our true master is?

Prayer:

“Heavenly Father, Thank you for giving me talents and resources.  Please forgive me for any shortfall on my part in using those to serve your kingdom.  Father, please help me to have a “kingdom mindset,” where you are Lord of all that I have and all that I am.  Please give me your wisdom and show me how to employ what you have given me for your kingdom.  Thank you for the privilege of serving you!  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”