Worthless Servant

This morning I read the parable of the loaned money in Matthew 25:14-30.

In this parable, Jesus is telling a series of parables to explain what the kingdom of heaven will be like. In the series, the underlying message is: Be Ready.

Ready for what?

    For Christ's return.

When Christ returns, he expects to see certain things from his people. He expects to see His servants (that would be us) looking forward to his coming and working hard in and for his kingdom. The parable of the loaned money, or talents, represents this clearly.

We have a different meaning for the word talent today. It's no longer a monetary reference, but it still refers to something we have been given for a purpose. I love the way my study Bible explains it:

"The master divided the money (talents) among his servants according to their abilities. No one received more or less than he could handle. If he failed in his assignment, his excuse could not be that he was overwhelmed. Failure could come only from laziness or hatred toward the master. The talents represent any kind of resource we are given. God gives us time, gifts, and other resources according to our abilities, and he expects us to invest them wisely until he returns. We are responsible to use well what God has given us. The issue is not how much we have, but how well we use what we have."
                                              Life Application Study Bible - NIV

What happened to the worthless servant who buried his talent because of fear and laziness?

Read, Matthew 25:30 to find out!

How about you? Is there any "talent" you've been too afraid to use for Jesus' sake? If so, get to work and don't worry, because Jesus loves you and will help you in your work for him. 

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear..." 1 John 4:18

Spiritual Gifts

"Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant."          1 Corinthians 12:1

Do you know which spiritual gift you've been given? Are you using it?

From experience, I know this topic can come with a lot of questions...

    How do I know what mine is?
    How can I be sure I have it?
    Where can I go to find out?

The best thing to do is to pay attention when you're serving others. What fills you with joy? What need do you meet that uplifts and encourages those around you? What makes you feel closer to Christ? Spiritual gifts tests are also available, and they're fun to take as well!

Once you start experimenting, God will usually confirm them through the encouragement of other people.

At times, I've struggled with how I should use mine. In fact, now that I'm not on staff of a church anymore, my gifting has shifted. It's up to me to make sure I'm using them properly. Also, a gift unused gets taken away and we may never get the opportunity again.

Paul shows his concern when he offers further explanation as to why he doesn't want us to be ignorant:

"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit" (v 4)
"There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord" (v 5)
"There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men." (v 6)
"Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." (v 7)

Think about the hundreds of ways these gifts can be used for different service and different working!

It means that no matter where we are or what condition we're in, we can use whatever we've been given to serve God.

       Anywhere. Anytime

But we have to know what it is.

Your gift is to be shared with others in service to God and if you're not sure what yours is or how to use it, I urge you to make it your goal to know. It's more than filling a slot at church or volunteering for a couple of hours.

It's God's presence, his Spirit gift, working through you to build up his body. Since we are the body, when we use our gifts for others, we're also helping ourselves grow stronger. Look at what else Paul says about it in Romans 1:11:

"I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong - that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each others faith."

We all benefit when we share our gifts with one another. I know that often, I will make a phone call with the intent of encouraging someone and I end up getting just the right message of wisdom. One time I took a meal to someone in need and three years later, ended up being encouraged by her AND amazed by God's perfect timing.

                                                                          Google Images

I challenge you to fan your gifts into flames! (2 Tim 1:6)

Dedication Day

For the past two years, I've used this day - Christmas Eve - as a sort of dedication day.

Two years ago, I decided to devote an entire year to becoming a servant - freely giving myself away to whatever task God assigned me. It was one of the most joyful years of my life, so I did it again last year.

Freely is the key word and it's a big deal for me because deep down, I'm motivated by recognition. Being recognized by others somehow makes me feel validated - as if loving God and being loved by him isn't enough. I'm a work in progress and am in training to care only about hearing one pair of Heavenly hands clapping.

So Lord...let's do it again.

For me, one of the most beautiful examples of a servant of God is the example of Mary. Here's what she said to the Angel Gabriel:

"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.
Luke 1:38

My study bible says this: Mary was young, poor, female - all characteristics that to the people of her day, would make her seem unusable by God for any major task. But God chose Mary for one of the most important acts of obedience he has ever demanded of anyone....God's favor does not automatically bring instant success or fame. His blessing on Mary, the honor of being the mother of the Messiah, would lead to much pain: her peers would ridicule her; her fiance would come close to leaving her; her son would be rejected and murdered. But through her son would come the world's only hope, and this is why Mary has been praised by countless generations as the young girl who "found favor with God." Her submission was part of God's plan to bring about our salvation.  Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Being a servant of God requires faith, sacrifice and labor, but it seems to me that his servants gain an intimacy that far outweighs the difficulty.

Jesus Christ is the best gift ever received, the best gift we can give to him is our very life.