Matthew 25:14-30
This passage is parable (a simple story that illustrates a spiritual lesson) directed to the Church--believers like you and me as we serve the Lord until He returns...or as long as we live! We are the servants and Jesus is the Master. The bags of silver (called "talents" in most English translations) represent opportunities to serve the Master. Some commentators say that a "talent" may represent as much as 20 years' wages so we are to think of our opportunities as very valuable! Jesus gives us opportunities according to our abilities. Those who have great abilities and natural gifts are given more opportunities. Notice that the reward the Master gave was according to the servants faithfulness. The servant who invested the 5 talents and increased it to 10 was given the same praise as the one who doubled the 2 talents. The servant who hid his talent instead of investing it was punished because of his unfaithfulness. Those who were faithful in a few things were entrusted by the Master with many things.
So it is with us! We are to invest our lives and our resources in the Lord's work as we await His return. The key to our pleasing the Lord is not in ourselves and any abilities or gifts we may have. The key is in our faithfulness!
Another thought I had is that investing involves a certain amount of risk. We must be willing to take some risks--perhaps some people might think we're too religious or...who knows what risks might await us--in order to use our abilities and opportunities to the fullest.
Psalm 127
Without the Lord we can do nothing! (See John 15:5) We dare not leave God out of any part of our lives. If we do, we will fail to reach the highest potential God has for us. This is true for individuals, families, companies, nations, etc.
v. 2 is not an excuse for laziness because God values hard work, but it does remind us to keep a good balance of work and leisure. If we have work-a-holic tendencies, it may be that we are not trusting God to take care of us. And so we must work hard while trusting God, and we must rest while trusting God!
We see in vv. 3-5 that God loves and values children! "Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him." v. 3 We must never see children as a bother or nuisance. Sometimes as we age we tend to get a little irritable with children and their antics. Let's ask God to help us see them as He does--so full of life and potential! The future lies in their hands. I want children and young people to remember me as an encourager. I want them to know I'm on their side; I'm pulling for them!
MEDITATION: "It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones." Psalm 127:2
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