Matthew 25: 14-30
“Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. To 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. The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. So also, the one with two talents gained two more. But the man who had received one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
“After along time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received five talents brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful in a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
“The man with two talents also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.’
“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!’
“Then the man who had received 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. So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’
“His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
” ‘Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten talents. For 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. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
A Thought
My first thought is that all men are given a measure of faith and it is up to each of us to use faith to do the work God has called us to do. As we use what faith we have, we will gain more faith to do even greater things. My second thought is that God tells us to consider the ant in Proverbs 6. God expects us to work with our hands and not to be lazy or be in other people’s business. We should learn to be disciplined in our work whether for our employer, family or our work for the kingdom of heaven.
Our Prayer
Father thank you for my mother and dad that taught me about your love for me and also the value of work, discipline and giving to others. You have always richly provided for me in all things. Thank you for my deliverance from greed, but please keep revealing any that is still within me. Teach me that just because we possess things, they do not belong to us. Help us to be faithful to honor you in all things including work and money. We ask in Jesus’ name, amen.
