Good morning,
Responsibility without resistance
Whenever Jesus told a story, he never made it up. When Jesus told a story he always based the details on God’s eternal truth and on how God looked at what was going on here on earth. In Matthew 25 Jesus tells us a very interesting story about a king and three of his servants. The king was going to be away on a long trip and wanted these three servants to take care of some of his money, The first servant was really talented so the king gave him five bags of silver to invest. The second servant was less talented so the king gave him two bags of silver to invest. The third servant wasn’t very skilled, yet the king trusted him with one bag of silver to invest. None of the money belonged to any of the servants. When the king returned a long time later he asked the men what had happened to the money they were given. The most gifted servant happily told his master that his five bags of silver had now grown to ten bags. His master was delighted and declared, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’ v.21 Next the less gifted servant stepped forward and announced that his two bags of silver had now become four bags. The kings answer was very interesting. He said exactly the same thing, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’v.25
When the third servant showed up he was sullen because he had been asked to take risks with someone else’s money and was afraid of failing in his assignment. This investment for him was a threat instead of an opportunity for blessing his master. He was focused on himself instead of his master’s welfare. The king branded him as wicked, lazy and useless and he lost all credit for his “work” for his king. His reward was, throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ v.30
I see two important principals in this story. First, that the gifts that every one of God’s servants has been given are given by the master according to his perfect plan. None of us are in control of our set of gifts. Each of us must decide to see the challenges of life as a good part of God’s plan and part of an eternal adventure or give into our fears that the risks involved will get us in trouble or cause us pain. Jesus said, To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.v.29 Secondly, when we willingly take the risks that come with obedience to God’s direction now in time, we can look forward to hearing his “well done” and even greater responsibilities in eternity without any of the fears or resistance that we face now in ministry in our sin driven world. Dear Lord, please help us to remember that the gifts you give us now are designed for your glory now and will be for our perfect joy and your glory throughout eternity.
Matthew 25:29 To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.
Roy Wisner
