01-30-12 "Serving: God's Pathway to Influence" Matthew 25:14-30

The passage I read was Matthew 25:14-30

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+25%3A14-30&version=NIV

The verse that most stood out to me:

²¹ “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!’

As I reflect:

So, usually when I reflect on a passage I write down my thoughts on it right after reading it and then I meditate on the idea all day and try not to forget the application from the lesson.  Today was different though.  I read the passage and then spent all day meditating on it and now I’m writing after a day of consideration.  I’m still not sure I have found the words to express my reflections, but I will try.

This parable tells of a common occurrence of the times it was written where a property owner may leave his valuables in the care of trusted servants while absent for great periods of time.  In this case, 3 servants.  2 of which were considered good and faithful for making good use of the talents entrusted to them and the third servant who was considered wicked and lazy for having made no use of the talent but rather hiding it for a lack of understanding his master.   Here is the implication of the parable.

Each servant of God is entrusted with differing types and measure of gifts.  It is expected of God’s followers to utilize those gifts in a wise and obedient way to spread the gospel and invest in furthering the kingdom of God.  Many professed followers however end up instead acting as the third servant did.  They bury their gift.  In other words they waste the gifts the Lord has given.  They become too caught up in just thinking about their own salvation and considering no one else’s need for Jesus.  They invest nothing the Lord has given them for furthering the kingdom of God.   They do fear the Lord, but it’s the completely wrong type of fear. 

A reverent respect type of fear of my Master drives me to want to serve Him better.  With this thought in mind, I make daily choices to be obedient to His word and share that word with others that they might also choose life in Christ and join me in service.  I take each breath as a gift, the ability to type, stand, walk, and speak, all of it as a gift to be used for doing His will.  I don’t want to just barely get into heaven.  That’s not my goal.  Nor is my aim to be greater than anyone else there.  But I do have a deep desire to please my Father and that requires an investment.  I can’t be lazy about following God.  In fact the word “lazy” and “following” in reference to God don’t belong in the same sentence… Ever!  The point of walking with Christ is sharing the gifts of that walk with others.  I wasn’t saved so I could hide Jesus in me and keep Him all to myself.  I was saved out of love and from that love I also ought to share consistently with others what I have received.  If I don’t, then I never really got the point to begin with.  Love is a fruit, it is an evidence of salvation.  Without evidence what am I but a fake?  How can one claim salvation in Christ and yet care so little about all the people around them that are sinking to hell a little more every day?  The answer: you can’t.  If the gifts given to you are not of value for you to use in reaching others, then my friend I am afraid for you, because the implication in this parable for that person is that they too will join the others in the place where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.  I pray that if anyone read this and you recognize yourself in the third servant, you get on your knees and pray for some boldness and wisdom and share what He has given you.  We must recognize the great value of that gift, that talent the Lord has given us and use it all for the glory of the Lord.  Don’t waste His gift. 

My response to the Lord:

Lord, I may struggle with the wording, but you know my heart and you know the wonderful things you spoke to me today through this passage.  Thank you.  Thank you for your word.  Please help me to be a good steward of what you have trusted to me.  May I multiply what you have given by sharing your love and truths with others that they too may seek you and follow after you.