Chapter 25
14”The kingdom will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and
entrusted his property to them. 15To one he gave five talents of money, to another
two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went
on his journey. 16The man who had received the five talents went at once and put
his money to work and gained five more. 17So also, the one with the two talents
gained two more. 18But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a
hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19”After a long time the master
of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20The man who had
received the five talents brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me
with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’ 21”His master replied, ‘Well done,
good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put
you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 22”The
man with the two talents also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two
talents; see, I have gained two more.’ 23”His master replied, ‘Well done, good and
faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge
of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 24”Then the man who
had received the one talent came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man,
harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered
seed. 25So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here
is what belongs to you.’ 26”His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you
knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered
seed? 27Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers,
so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28” ‘Take the
talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. 29For everyone who
has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have,
even what he has will be taken from him. 30And throw that worthless servant
outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Meditation:
1. God gives gifts to all his disciples: wealth, skills, time or opportunities. God
wants us to use them completely. This is how we can serve him.
2. The master praised two of the slaves for they had done their best. But not
the other slave. This slave was doing the safest thing, and the least work, to
protect himself from hard work and punishment he thought he might receive
if he lost it.
3. God also expects me to use my gifts wisely and completely for Him. How am
I doing? Think of one way I can use my gift today and this week. Ask God to
help me do it well for His sake.
Personal Reflection
God gives gifts and talents to me. Thank you God for your reminder of using my resources and skills completely. My money, time, energy, opportunities, and skills all belongs to you.
Wealth
When God called me to invest in seminary education, I was greatly blessed. The money I gave through tithing, missionaries, and to the needy were a joy in giving and God blessed me with a sense of belonging as partners to the great work he is doing.
Skills
When I was in high school and university, I thought that high grades were the only skills I need to develop. When I was doing my internship, I realize how failed I was. The world requires greater skills than academic skills. The employer looks for more. I was unsuccessful in finding a job related to my field. I felt like a failure. I worked in an unrelated field for a few years and then I was called by God into ministry. I was doubting God whether I have the skills for a pastor. I prayed and God revealed to me through mentors and fellow brothers and sisters (fellowship is very important) that skills need prayer and time to develop. I am to step out of my comfort zone and trust that he will provide the skills, the resources, the time, and the opportunity to do His work. When I began, I cannot read, write, speak English well. By God grace, I may not be like the person with 5 talents, but I feel confident that God is equipping me in skills like planning, teaching, caring, leading, speaking, listening, which is essential to for a spiritual leader.
I thank God for the time and opportunity to do your work.
The temptation to play it safe and not use our skills because of the fear of failure is there. Sin has two dimensions. There is the sin of commission, which is done through committing something wrong ie) stealing candy from a store. There is the sin of omission, which is done through not doing things we should do. ie) not giving God and people in need of their needs. God created me for His purpose. When I am lazy and do not work because of the lack of faith in God, I become the wicked servant in the parable.
How am I doing today?
I am trying my best to do what you ask me to do. However, I do feel that there are rooms for improvement and there are still lots of areas, time, energy, skills that I haven't fully surrender to God. I need God's help and prayers from brothers and sisters to become faithful in the work you call me to do.
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