“Again, 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. Matthew 25:14
So far in our Bible study together this week, we have talked about the truth that while we may think we are the owners of our lives, including all of our possessions, responsibilities, and even time, God is really the One who owns it all. We have also seen that everything good in our lives is a gift from God. We are not the owners of the gifts God gives us, but we are responsible for how we steward them. After all, gifts are given with the understanding that their recipients will use them responsibly. As followers of Christ, our calling is to honor God through the way we use the gifts He has given us.
Jesus reminded His followers of the importance of stewarding every gift He has given us well in Matthew 25. In this passage of Scripture, He told a story, saying, “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” (verse 14). To one servant, he gave five bags of silver. To another, he gave two bags of silver (verse 15). Finally, he gave the final servant one bag of silver. Jesus explains that he divided up his money “in proportion to their abilities” (verse 15). After dividing up his money, the man left. Throughout this week, we will discuss what happened next in this story, but today our focus is on this first part of the story. You see, the man in this story entrusted his finances to his servants. Other translations of this passage, such as the English Standard Version and the New King James Version, refer to the money in this passage of Scripture as a talent. We heard during the weekend message that a talent was a large sum of money that could represent up to 15 or 20 years of wages for an average person. In other words, the money that these servants had been entrusted with was no small sum. It was significant! As a result, it was expected that they would take what they had been given and invest it well.
Jesus told this story in Matthew 25 to illustrate that the same is true with God and His kingdom. He gives us all gifts, from our time, our people, our homes, our careers, our possessions, and more. These gifts are significant. They are not to be wasted. We must steward them well. After all, they all belong to Him in the first place.
What gifts has God entrusted to you? These gifts include your time, your talents, your possessions, and the people He has placed in your life. Will you commit to stewarding them well today? You have been given great gifts from God. Indeed, your entire life is a gift from God. Will you use your life to have a great impact for Christ, focusing on making Him known everywhere you go?
It’s time today to evaluate how we are doing when it comes to stewarding the gifts God has given us in this life, from our time, finances, resources, and more. Write down all of the gifts God has given you. Then, think about how you are stewarding them. What is going well? Where is there room for improvement? Then, write down one way you can grow when it comes to stewarding God’s gifts well. Commit to taking that step starting this week. Don’t forget to ask God to help you steward His gifts well.
“God, I know that the things on this earth hold no eternal impact. I confess…”
Matthew 25:1-15
“Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, 4 but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. 5 When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
6 “At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’
7 “All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. 8 Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’
9 “But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’
10 “But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. 11 Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’
12 “But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’
13 “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.
14 “Again, 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.
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