Matthew chapter 25 verses 14 through 30 is Jesus’ “Parable of the Talents.” This story of the three servants has often been a parable I have struggled with. For a long time I didn't get what was so wrong about the guy who buried the money. "He at least gave back to the master the same amount he was originally given," I thought. "What's so wrong with that?"
Well, as I read this parable again, the thing that really stands out to me is that this parable is not talking about simply money. . . but I think it is talking about our very lives and our time here on earth. I read it now as if God gives each of us a certain amount of time to live on this earth and a certain amount of gifts and skills.
And then, we have to ask ourselves - will we simply just go through life very stably & comfortably with those gifts and skills – perhaps even just going through the motions and serving ourselves – to the extent that when God calls us home, we have really not produced much of anything in our lives? What if we spend our time & gifts in such a way that by the end of it we haven't really blessed or served others? We simply give back to God at the end of our lives what God gave to us and nothing more.
OR - is it possible that God is calling each of us to do so much more with our lives?
Is God calling us to really use the time, gifts and skills he has given us for something bigger than ourselves?
Is God calling us to produce a great harvest of loving and serving and blessing others in our lives?
So that when we arrive at heaven's gate at the end of our lives we will hear verse 21 from God Himself - "The master was full of praise. `Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!'"
How about your life today?
Are you multiplying the skills and gifts that God has given you in your life?
Are you investing your skills and gifts in loving service of others?
Are you at least "doubling" God's investment in you?
GOT PURPOSE !
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