"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.." - Col 3:23 (NIV).
The story of the parable of talents is often taken to look at the ungrateful servant who was given a talent, hid it as others used theirs, to the great distaste of his master. Annoyed that he had not invested well his talents, this hardened servant was rebuked, "So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags" (Mathew 25: 28).
Three servants had been given an equal share of talents but as we find out where the two had quickly invested theirs and seen them multiply this guy had just on his. Perhaps you may ask why. If you dig deeper it all had to do with bad attitude.
Asked why he had not invested his talent as well as others, the mean servant quipped back, sullenly, "Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you" (vv 24 -25).
This man was bitter, perhaps because he had been given less talents than others. He was an angry man and it is doubtful even if he had been given more talents, he would have done any good. Anger blocks constructive behaviour. Just look at the way he talked back to his master.
His reason that "I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you" (vv 25), was easily dismissed for lack of water. "His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest" (26-27).
Bad or lets say a stinking attitude, is what was this man's problem. When we have the wong attitude this what we do to the gold in our lives. God has given each one of us gold to use and invest to multiplication. But some, just like the bitter servant, are sitting on theirs, coming up with all kinds of apologetic reasons. To these the Lord says, " 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. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (vv 29-30).
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, you have given each one of us a talent and may you help us to put each to good use, for the extension of your kingdom, this I pray in Jesus's name.
Related upcoming events
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03/05/2024 - 04/05/2024 All day“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10)
Every now and then one could be gripped with fear because of certain events sweeping before one’s life journey. It could be the finances that are stretched and incomes are no longer certain. Perhaps it is one’s job under threat. Perhaps it is a dreaded health report card. There could be fear about outcome of a matter under judgment and what it might mean to one’s future.
Fear has been elsewhere described as “an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm.” Every life will experience fear at one point. Whenever we are faced with fear it is natural to look for something to grasp on. Sometimes we run for shelter wherever we can find. Perhaps we might seek out a friend for quiet confidence.
But there are those situations when there is no shelter in sight. There are also those cases where those we thought would understand our situation once we share our pain return only hurting and critical feedback. In such moments we might then turn and look within ourselves only to find the energy has all been sapped by this gnawing fear. We feel down and the urge to rise and move on all gone!
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10) the word of God through prophet Isaiah assures us. But why? It is because the Lord has been there. He himself was faced with fear before his crucifixion but He looked to God.
Charles Spurgeon once wrote when faced with fear always remember, “Nothing is too hard for Him. He can find a way where there is no way. He can give us the idea that will make all the difference.” Psalm 91:2, says, “I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!” So, when faced with fear, look to God to strengthen you. By looking to Him, the Lord will encourage and lift up your spirit, and make a way out of nowhere!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I surrender to you any fear that is in me for I know by looking up to you, you will always make a way out of nowhere, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
