Scripture:
“But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.”
— Matthew 25:18
“so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed?”
— Matthew 25:25-26
Observation:
Those who take the easy path, doing close to nothing with what they have received in Jesus, will be reprimanded and sent out from His Presence. By accepting Jesus as our LORD and Savior, we are accepting a responsibility as well as a privilege. Looking at the response of the servant who was given one talent, he just wanted to be safe and literally hide it away and do nothing. Doing nothing and thinking we are safe is dangerous. I am asked to check my life to see if there are fruit of the Spirit that are due to my work of faith in Jesus. Am I being a steward of the grace I have been given?
Application:
Jesus has blessed me with gifts and talents that are not to be hidden away, but to be used for His Kingdom. God has blessed me with a wonderful ministry and church. How am I helping them? Can I encourage, edify, help, or do something instead of wasting time? Jesus will come back soon. What am I doing today with the “talent” He has blessed me with? I feel a little ashamed of wasting time. I know I lack a sense of urgency and it is crucial I get back on the ball. I am feeling exhausted from all the things going on at the moment and I use that as an excuse. I know it shouldn’t be an excuse. I will start taking steps today.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for blessing us with talents and abilities, and for your mercy and grace, all through Jesus. Please forgive me for being a terrible steward of what You have granted me. It is easy for me to fall back into autopilot and “hide” the gifts you have given me. I choose to change the habits that lead me to waste precious time. Thank you so much for your patience with me! Thank you for entrusting me. I long to hear You call me a good and faithful servant. I love you and ask this in Your Name, Jesus. Amen.
