Day 5 – We belong to God and have responsibility to use what he has given us

“Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.

After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.' His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' The man with two bags of gold also came. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.' His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. 'Master,' he said, 'I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.' His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 'Take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. For those who have will be given more, and they will have an abundance. As for those who do not have, even what they have will be taken from them. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'”

Matthew 25:14-30 (TNIV)

We have seen how we belong to God after being born again, and that God chooses to give lots of things to those that belong to him. This passage, best known as “the parable of the talents”, shows that God gives us freedom of choice in how we use what we’re given, and responsibility for the choices we make. We can be sure that faithful work for God will bring success, but failure to act brings judgement.

What have we received as gifts from God that could be represented by the “bags of gold” here?

• Material things (e.g. Genesis 3:21, Ecclesiastes 3:13)
• Family (e.g. Genesis 30:20)
• Opportunity for service (e.g. Numbers 18:7)
• The ability to enjoy life and find satisfaction in work (e.g. Ecclesiastes 3:13, 5:19)
• The Holy Spirit (e.g. Acts 2:38)
• Eternal life (e.g. Romans 6:23)
• Various spiritual gifts – prophecy, serving, faith, teaching, encouragement, giving, leading, helping, showing mercy, wisdom, knowledge, healing, tongues, interpretation, guidance (e.g. Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12)

Only a few of these gifts are common to all Christians – mostly we receive different gifts from God. Whatever we have, whatever circumstances, passions, abilities, opportunities and spiritual enablement from God, the message is that need to use these things to serve others (also see 1 Peter 4:10), and that love – the most important fruit of the Spirit – should direct the free choice we have in doing this.

To consider and pray throughout today

• What gifts has God given me? What passions do I have, and what opportunities?
• What gifts am I using, and what am I not using?
• How is my use of the gifts God gave me demonstrating love and service to others?

Next week – knowing that we have gifts and freedom to choose how to use them, we will look at how to find out God’s will for us, so we can make wise decisions and strengthen our relationship with God. It’s costly, but worth it!