WHICH SERVANT ARE YOU?

BY PASTOR BRAD LIEBE

WHATEVER YOU DO, WORK HEARTILY, AS FOR THE LORD AND NOT FOR MEN, KNOWING THAT FROM THE LORD YOU WILL RECEIVE THE INHERITANCE AS YOUR REWARD. YOU ARE SERVING THE LORD CHRIST.

COLOSSIANS 3:23-24 (ESV)

One thing I love about Jesus’ teaching is that it is timeless and told compellingly. He told stories because He knew that stories would stick with us longer than a list of rote principles or rules. On top of that, we can look at a parable from various perspectives and gain different points of wisdom. Because they don’t tie into any historical person, we can easily apply them to ourselves. It’s beautiful!

In the parable of the Talents (Matt. 25), there was a master who gave talents (15-20 years’ worth of day wages) to his servants for them to care for while he was away. One received five talents, another two, and another one.

The first two servants were diligent. They doubled their talents through hard work. The master left them with seven talents, and they were returning seven more. They knew the master would be thrilled with their work, and they eagerly awaited his return.

The third servant, however, was described as wicked and lazy. He buried the talent in the ground, where robbers could take it, and did nothing.

When the master returned, the master was very pleased with the first two servants. He planned to put them in charge of many things and then invited them into his home with joy.

The third servant immediately blamed the master. “You are a hard man and steal from others, so I was afraid and hid your money.” The master was furious and took the servant’s talent and gave it to the first servant. Then he cast the wicked servant out into the darkness.

The difference between the first two servants and the last one is stewardship. Our attitude when we observe God will determine our faithfulness and diligence. Do you complain about what you don’t have and compare it to others? If you do, you won’t be focused on what God has given you. You won’t be focused on His calling because what He has given you “isn’t enough.”

Take this out of the realm of money and look at your gifts and talents. Those are gifts from God as well. He gave us everything we have, including our money and possessions, and asked us to use them to further His Kingdom. Are you doubling the attendance of heaven with the talents God has given you, or are you burying them in the ground?

Moving Forward

Take a moment and write down all that God has given you and then thank Him for it. How are you utilizing His gifts? Ask God to help you use what He has given you to reach someone for Jesus.