SCRIPTURE:
““‘Yes,’ the king replied, ‘and to those who use well what they are given, even more will be given. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.” — Luke 19:26
OBSERVATION:
Jesus had just had His encounter with Zacchaeus. His transformation from a despised tax-collector, to a man of generosity and honesty, has the crowd scratching their heads.
Jesus then tells a story of a king, his servants, and a crowd that despises him. The familiar story of talents or coins, investing for return, or doing nothing out of fear or complacency, is a primer for how the people will react to the idea that His reign is not immediate, but one to come in the future.
And HOW they handle this, from believing that He is the Son of God, to how they will live, by the “new commandment” He gave them, will determine where they will stand in their belief in Him.
Believe and serve Him fully? Be rewarded fully. Half?…Half.
Nothing at all? That’s what you get.
Doesn’t matter how much you got, it’s how you use it.
APPLICATION:
There are so many ways this can go, but I focused on one particular thing.
Do I believe in Jesus as Lord and as Savior? And if I say I do, do I invest myself in that way, as though He wants to see a return on that investment?
For the last 31 years, half my life now (I’m 62 this year), can I say that no matter how grand or how bland, I believe I did everything I was asked by God, to advance His kingdom.
I’ve swept floors, and I’ve preached Sunday sermons. I’ve taken out the trash and I’ve taught discipleship courses. Nothing was promised me that would make me famous, or “powerful”, or have likes, follows, or shares. I invest anyway.
What God did promise me, according to the Scriptures, was strength for today, and hope for tomorrow. I’ve never let go of that.
And if I got in God’s way, by avoiding the “low talent” stuff, because for a moment I thought I was above such things, guess how much I got for not investing myself into it. Yep. Nothing.
When I found contentment in being about the Father’s business, regardless of how I looked or what others thought of me, it brought unmatchable peace to my heart, and a touch from heaven. Even if no one noticed.
Global conference speaker Jason Min said it well; “There’s a difference between being seen serving, and serving in order to be seen.”
One has nothing to offer but everything to reward. The other offers applause and rewards in full here on earth, but nothing to show for in heaven.
The choice is ours each day. Grand or bland. May we choose wisely.
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, may my investment of myself into the kingdom yield countless returns in heaven, even if I get nothing here on earth. May I be seen serving You in any form factor or fashion…being about Your business, and may You be glorified in each moment, grand to bland. Amen.
(Login/Register to leave a comment)
