Last week, we began our third and final chapter in the Kingdom Life series; The Heart of the King’s True Subjects. In case you missed the previous chapters, we’ve had; The Word of the King and The Heart of the King. Within this final chapter we have 8 points to cover. We posted those in last week’s blog, which you can read here.
So, the second point is that the King’s True Subjects know that they are stewards of everything they have. What is a steward? Someone who is hired by someone else to look after the employers property.
Matt. 25:14-30 - The Parable of the Talents. Let’s read it.
For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoned with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou delivered unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou delivered unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knew that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou ought therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
In this parable, it’s obvious that the man who leaves represents Jesus. The country that the Master goes to represents heaven. The Master gives his servants ‘talents’. This was a large amount of gold. Today, when we talk about ‘talent’, it’s got a slightly different meaning. Skill, ability, attributes to do something. The point is, God has given us talents which we can invest and see a return on His Kingdom.
The first two servants invested their talents and got a 100% return. The Master was pleased with them. He recognised that they had been faithful over a few things and they received a reward. But the third servant hid his talent out of fear. Whatever we have been given, it’s to be invested in and used for the glory of God and building his eternal kingdom.
Romans 12:3-8
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teaches, on teaching; Or he that exhorts, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that rules, with diligence; he that shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
1 Peter 4:10-11
As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Stewardship is taking the abilities you have and using them for Christ. You may think you don’t have any abilities. Well, to be blunt, you’re wrong! You do have abilities. At least one! Most people have several and probably more they aren’t even aware of but need to be dug up out of the treasure chest that God has put inside you. Don’t spend anymore time putting yourself down, agreeing with the devil and wallowing in self-pity that you are ‘no good’, or that you have ‘nothing to offer’. That’s a lie, plain and simple. God has given you talents, gifts, abilities that He wants you to steward and use for His Kingdom.
The King is inviting us to use these things for His glory and to build His kingdom.
Life itself is a gift that we are called by God to use for His Kingdom and His glory. And what we learn from this parable is that God is incredibly faithful and generous and will reward us abundantly. When the Master returns, He rewards the faithful servants who have invested in their talents. Jesus has a reward waiting for those who invest their talents for the Kingdom of God. Isn’t that awesome!
But the last servant says “I was afraid”. Fear of failure, mistakes and of what other’s might think of us, will cause us to hide our talents. The mindset we need to have is that Jesus had gone to heaven and left us with the tools to make a massive difference. Big or small, it doesn’t matter.
This wrong mindset or belief system about God, the fear of man or failure keeps us from using our talents and being good stewards. God is not going to punish you for eternity because you made mistakes! God’s opinion of you doesn’t change according to what other people think. You have a no lose proposition in front of you! You can’t lose if you’re a born again believer in Jesus Christ! You can’t lose!! Don’t let fear keep you in bondage and keep you from using your talents for God’s Kingdom and from receiving your reward.
God has already accepted us, saved us and given us His righteousness in Christ. Messing up on how you use your talents is not going to cost you your salvation! As long as your heart is right, whether you pass or fail, succeed or not is not going to affect God’s attitude toward you. It might affect your reward, but you’re still going to live in heaven for all eternity with Jesus! So don’t be afraid because you have the wrong image of God or you’re afraid of failure.
Whatever your talents and abilities are, start investing in them today and align your heart with God’s will for your life, which is to use those talents for His Kingdom and His glory. Use that image of the Master returning and saying to you “well done, good and faithful servant” as inspiration if you need it! But really, God deserves everything we can offer Him doesn’t He? I mean, we owe Him our lives, the least we can do is use the gifts He’s given us to bring glory to His Name and increase His eternal Kingdom.
Start investing today….you will not regret it! We’ll see you next week.
Do share this with someone you know who might be blessed and/or encouraged by it.
Until next week,
Upstream Ministries
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