OK, God is so awesome! I found a small torn out piece of paper that I had written some notes on from Matthew 25:14-30. Jesus is telling a parable of a Master and three servants. Some of you may know this one, but I had not heard it before. Simply put, the Master gives "talents", which are meausrements of silver (money in their day), to each servant. The first two invest this money and have a 100% return on their investment. The third one does nothing with his, well, that's not true. He buries it, therefore not having any return at all.
To the first two servants, Jesus says, "Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more resonsibilities. Let's celebrate together!" (vs. 21 & 23, NLT) The third servant, however is called a wicked and lazy servant. He had a response prepared for his Master whom he pretended to serve, when what he really did was put the money out of sight so he wouldn't be confronted with it each day the Master was away. The Master eventually tells this servant that he is to be "thrown into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (vs. 30, NLT).
All three servants were entrusted with something that belonged to the Master, and they were expected to make investments with it. This is much like opportunities that God gives us to further His kingdom and serve His people. These opportunites almost always involve taking a risk on our part, but the return is 100%, as so perfectly depicted in Jesus' parable. God may get all the glory, but the beauty in that is that we get to share in the blessing when we are obedient.
Here's the part that made me say God is so awesome. OK, that was first this morning, and then I read a blog on that passage. Afterwards, and I mean at least an hour later, due to tending to children and starting a load of laundry, I opened the Bible to 2 Timothy 4:1-5, and here is what it said: "I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appearts to set up his kingdom: Preach the word of God. Be prepared whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths. But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you".
I don't know about you, but it sure sounds like a continuation of Jesus' parable in Matthew I started my quiet time with! How awesome is God?!
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