For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them and gained five more talents. In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more. But he who received the one talent went away and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. “Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Matthew 25:14-19
Are you ready for your 1/1 with Jesus? The gift of salvation is free, but it does come with expectations to occupy (do business and trade) and multiple (increase using what God has given to you), that’s stewardship.
TALENTS: When I hire a new salesperson, we assign them accounts or territory based on their ability, not everyone has the same ability. In the same way, God has given talents sets to people of differing amounts. If you have been given much, more is expected of you. If you have been given less, Jesus still expects you to use what you have been given to increase. How are you developing your giftedness and using it to serve the purposes of God?
ROI: The person who received five talents doubled the return to the Lord and the one who received two talents did the same. But the person who received two talents was not expected to deliver five like the first person. In the same way, the salesperson who has been given a larger more fruitful territory will be expected to produce more than someone who was given a smaller territory. Where is the largest ROI you are producing?
THE DAY OF REWARDS: Based on what we have done with what we have been given will determine what we receive when we get to heaven. If we have been faithful stewards to use what was given to us to increase, we will be rewarded with more kingdom responsibility. If we have produced nothing, Jesus says he will take our talent and give it to another, and we are cast out. That may seem harsh, but would your company keep you around if you consistently failed to contribute?
REFLECT TO CONNECT:
- In what ways are you developing your talent set?
- Is there a growth group at your church you can participate in?
- In what areas is the church looking for volunteers, is this an open door for you?
Principle: Everyone understands that employers, teachers, and supervisors have expectations that you contribute, it is no different with God except that you are adding value to your eternal account.
