Use It or Lose It
Read Matthew 24:1–25:46
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14. “The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone.
15. He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip.
16. The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more.
17. The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more.
18. But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money.
19. After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money.” Matthew 25:14-19
“What a shame,” people say. “She had so much potential, but she has really wasted her talent.” We hear it said of athletes, young scholars, artists, and other talented people.
Jesus has more than head shaking for those who do nothing with their God-given talents. Here he uses a story about investing to convince his listeners that when God gives us an asset, he expects us to invest it. As you read, consider how you are investing the resources that God has entrusted to your care.
In addition to this story, Jesus’ teaching here includes predictions about the future and warnings about God’s judgment.
In the parable of the loaned money, Jesus gave his disciples a picture of our own service to God. The master entrusted three of his servants with money to invest; in a similar way, God entrusts us with skills, money, time, and other resources. The master gave each servant only as much money as he felt the servant could handle; God gives us only what we can handle. The master rewarded those who invested his money; God rewards us when we employ his gifts in his service. And the master punished the servant who hid his money instead of investing it; God takes away what we refuse to use.
God has given each person many talents and other resources to use for his service. What has God given you to glorify him? Invest those gifts by serving him and the people he loves. He will ensure a good return.
