Preparing the Way of the Lord!
Wednesday, December 8, 2004
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your written word, which tells me how to live in response to Your great salvation and love. Thank You for the parables, which tell me that Jesus IS returning and that challenge me to be ready! Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may live in readiness for Your return. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
God’s Word Today
Matthew 25:14-30 (Due to the size of the passage, we focused on 25:1-13 Sunday-Tuesday; and 25:14-30 Wednesday-Saturday)
14“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a trip. He called together his servants and gave them money to invest for him while he was gone. 15He gave five bags of gold to one, two bags of gold to another, and one bag of gold to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities—and then left on his trip. 16The servant who received the five bags of gold began immediately to invest the money and soon doubled it. 17The servant with two bags of gold also went right to work and doubled the money. 18But the servant who received the one bag of gold dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money for safekeeping.
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. 20The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of gold said, ‘sir, you gave me five bags of gold to invest, and I have doubled the amount.’ 21The 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!’
22“Next came the servant who had received the two bags of gold, with the report, ‘sir, you gave me two bags of gold to invest, and I have doubled the amount.’ 23The master said, ‘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!’
24“Then the servant with the one bag of gold came and said, ‘sir, I know you are a hard man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate. 25I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth and here it is.’
26“But the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! You think I’m a hard man, do you, harvesting crops I didn’t plant and gathering crops I didn’t cultivate? 27Well, you should at least have put my money into the bank so I could have some interest. 28Take the money from this servant and give it to the one with the ten bags of gold. 29To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who are unfaithful, even what little they have will be taken away. 30Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Reflecting on God's Word
What is the most important thing anyone has ever entrusted to your care?
A Deeper Exploration of God's Word
To what does Jesus compare the Kingdom of God in this parable? (25:14)
Who are the main characters in this story? (25:15-18)
Understanding God's Word
What is the most important thing you discover about God by reading today’s Scripture?
Applying God's Word to Our Lives
What has God entrusted to your care? How are you managing it right now?
Thoughts...Investing for the Master...
Most of us forget that everything we have and are belongs to God! That is the basic principle of stewardship. Once we recognize this reality then everything we think, say and do, and how we steward or manage time, talents and treasures all come into the realm of preparing the way of the Lord. It isn’t easy to remember this basic principle, because the world works so hard to keep us thinking that all we have is ours, and that we are “generous” if we happen to share some of it with God or others. As we go through this Christmas season, imagine the difference there will be as we recognize that it’s all God’s and He will ask us to account for our management of it when He comes!