Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – November 28, 2020
For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. Matthew 25:14-15 (NRSV)
God gives leadership and responsibility to his children according to their abilities. While we are all equally loved and cherished by our Lord, we do not all have the same gifts or capacities. For many of us, this is hard to hear, especially as our ears have been conditioned by the free market, which tells us at every turn that three is better than two and four is better than three. Yet in God’s kingdom, character trumps quantity, and faithfulness is always the secret to kingdom fruitfulness. To this end, faithfulness is found, not in who has the most, but in the person who carefully stewards whatever God has chosen to give them.
We serve a good and loving master who longs to see his servants flourish. He knows us better than we know ourselves, and gives to each of us exactly what we need in order to be faithful and free members of his kingdom. The question is, what has God given you to steward according to your ability?
Rather than fretting over how much or little you have, what might it look like for you to focus on ways to multiply the resources God has entrusted to your care? Faithful stewardship implies growth and active cultivation of the gifts we have been given. God is a creative God, and as his image bearers, we are meant to live generative lives! The gifts you have been given are always meant to be shared, expanded, and grown.
Whatever the details of your life may look like, and no matter how big or small the growth may be, you are invited to create goodness, to bring order, beauty, and wonder into the world as you live in peace and harmony with your creator. Though one servant in this story serves as a strong warning against a life of lazy foolishness, the other two encourage us and invite us to follow their example, reminding us that God does not ask impossible things of us. No matter how overwhelming or daunting it may feel, remember today that it is entirely possible to live as faithful stewards of the grace of God in your life.
“Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received” (1 Peter 4:10).
Prayer
Lord and Master of my life, cast away from me the spirit of laziness, idle curiosity, love of power and vain talk. But grant me, Your servant, the spirit of moderation, humility, patience and love. Yes, Lord and King, grant me to see my own faults and not to judge my brothers and sisters. For You are blessed forever. Amen. (Prayer of St. Ephraem the Syrian)
Application
What are the gifts given to you by God? What does it look like for you to cultivate and expand those gifts for his glory and the good of others?
Related Reading
Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians 12:11; Ephesians 4:7
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