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Your Investments
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2/26/2010
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"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...Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them." - Matthew 25:14-19 NASB
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Before leaving on a long trip, a man's thoughts turned to his possessions, which he divided among his servants. To one, he gave five bags of silver. Another received two bags. The third received one bag. Then each man was left to decide what to do.
The first and second men acted "immediately," and their investments doubled the value of what they had received. When the master returned, they were rewarded for being "faithful with a few things." Their actions pleased him, and he promised even greater blessings--to put them "in charge of many things" (v. 21).
However, the third servant was "afraid," so he did nothing to invest what the master had entrusted to him. Instead, he "dug a hole in the ground and hid the master's money." To the master, this choice was unacceptable. He pronounced this servant "wicked and lazy" (vs. 25-26).
Jesus told this story to help us understand how God views our lives. No matter how much we've received from Him, He wants us to invest in His Kingdom and be faithful with the resources we've been given. If we do so, He promises to multiply our resources: "To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance" (v. 29).
But Jesus gave a sober warning to those who hoard their resources: "Even what little they have will be taken away" (v. 29). In God's sight, failing to invest our resources is unacceptable.
Today, make sure you're being a good steward of the resources God has given you. Be prudent and wise. Invest in His Kingdom.
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| Prayer |
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Father, thank You for all You've given me. Help me to be a good steward and invest the resources entrusted to me. Use me to accomplish Your purposes. In Jesus' name. Amen.
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| Extended Reading
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Matthew 25
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