April 27 I Friday

1 Kings 1-2

Luke 19:28-48

“For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.”   —Matthew 25:29

The second parable, illustrating how we are to be in readiness for the return of Christ, tells of a master who went on a journey, entrusting his servants with his wealth to make a return for him in his absence. He gave the first servant five bags of gold, the second servant two bags and the third servant one bag, each according to his ability. The first and second servants immediately went to work and doubled their master’s investment, but the third servant feared the master’s wrath should he fail and hid his bag of gold in the ground for safekeeping.

When the master returned, the servants were called before him to give an account of their labour. He was impressed with the first and second servants, giving them both the same high commendation, “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!” (Matthew 25:21). How much the servants were given to invest was irrelevant. The one with the greater resources was expected to produce greater results. This teaches we are not to compete with one another but fulfill the mandate we receive from God with the resources He has given us.

The third servant had no gain to present. He blamed his failure on fear of his master being a hard man, and did not want to risk losing what he had been given. The master took the talent from him and gave it to the one who had ten, saying, “For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them” (Matthew 25:29). The third servant is described by his master as a wicked, worthless and weeping servant —wicked because he was lazy and unwilling to busy himself in his master’s interests; worthless because he produced nothing with what he had been given; and weeping because his failure to properly know his master had him cast into darkness.

Rather than “bags of gold”, some Bible versions use “talents,” an English homonym as well as an effective spiritual equivalent. God gifts each of us uniquely with spiritual gifts and talents to accomplish His work in this world. When Christ returns, we will have to give an account as to how well we have used the resources He has given us. Reap poorly by being concerned with our well-being and what we are given will be taken from us, but reap well by availing ourselves of the resources we have in Christ, and not only will we be given more but we will have the incredible joy of sharing in His happiness!

Prayer: Precious Lord, thank You for Your indwelling Spirit who allows me to know You and is my empowering.  I ask for Your help in applying the resources I have in You to expanding Your kingdom. Thank You, Jesus.