Scripture:
Matthew 25:14-23 ESV
[14] “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. [15] To one, he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. [16] He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. [17] So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. [18] But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. [19] Now, after a long time, the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. [20] And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ [21] His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ [22] And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ [23] His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’
Observation:
Jesus used parables to illustrate the principles that needed to take place in the lives of those to whom HE was speaking. You could kind of tell the crowd that HE was speaking according to the content of the parable. In this case, he must have been speaking to those who had been left with the responsibility of sharing the gospel. Probably the religious leaders. Or those who were officials of the ones in charge either way. They were men who had influence. Men who were known for getting things done. Their leader was going away for a while, but he did not want things to stop growing and moving forward as he was gone. So he called a few trusted men to him and gave them a way to advance the work that was going on in the kingdom. This was a big responsibility and showed those he had called that he had trust in their ability to get things done. There were 2 that took the task seriously and one that acted out of fear. When the master came back, He called his servants to him to see and hear what had been done. The first 2 to report told of their investment and how things worked out. The increase of wealth to the kingdom and probably plans for future growth. The third servant, however, didn’t have the same kind of report. He had allowed fear to rule over his actions and ended up returning only what he was giving to begin with. Unfortunately, his fear cost him.
Application:
No matter what you think, GOD has given you influence. There are men and women around you that GOD has strategically placed for you to speak to. My question is, what are you doing with that influence? Are you speaking life into them? Or are you not saying the things that need to be said to bring about the change that needs to happen? Allowing fear of failure to determine how you use the insurance GOD has given you can get you in a hard spot. My suggestion… take a chance… you never know the path that GOD has prepared beforehand. HE has trusted you with something that HE has gifted you to do. The question is, are you going to step out in faith and use the talents GOD gave you? Our lives should be about furthering the kingdom. Showing others how to do what GOD has called them to do. Yes, it will involve risk, but it’s worth it. Use what you have been given to influence those around you to use what they have been given. A wise man once told me in any relationship you are doing one of 2 things… you are either influencing or you are being influenced. GOD gave us talent and influence for a reason. Don’t dig a hole and hide it.
Prayer:
Father, you have a plan, and you have equipped us to carry it out. Give us the courage needed to say the things that need to be said so that those whom you have placed around us can see the plan you have for them as well. Show us how to use what you gave us. We don’t want to hide it. You have placed a light inside us so that it can be seen. Not so that we would place it under a bucket. We want you… we want your plan. The people you have placed next to us, you have put there for a reason. We do not want to miss the opportunity to build them up so that they can see that you have trusted them in the same manner that you have trusted us. We want to use what you have given us for the kingdom. Show us how. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.