"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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20/04/2024 - 21/04/2024 All day“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong” (1 Cor 16:13)
Tourists who happen to visit Bukingham palace will be expected to notice the King’s royal guards. Dressed in colorful often red uniforms and adorning tall black helmets they stand on guard and no one dare cross them. Elsewhere in life we find guards in all manner of places quite firm on deterring any intruder wherever they may be.
For us Believers being on constant guard is a calling we must permanently observe. And why? Once in the course of his work, “Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns” (Mathew 16:23). Peter had just protested that he would not deny Jesus only to be sported out!
There is something for us to note here. Satan had penetrated the ranks of Jesus and was going through his closest disciple. It is clear that Peter was not even aware that he was being used. Anyway, he found his target, Jesus, was on guard. Immediately Satan was sent packing.
No Believer is immune to attacks from Satan. After all when once the Lord asked Satan his whereabouts: “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the LORD, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it” (Job 1:7). Clearly the guy is out there 24/7 looking for whom to devour. “Be alert, be on watch! Your enemy, the Devil, roams around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour” (I Peter 5:8).
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, as you have warned us to be on “guard” help me ever to be on the watch out for the attacks of the enemy and with your word rebuke Satan, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
