GOD IS AN INVESTOR (10).

*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*

*GOD IS AN INVESTOR (10)*

*Scripture Treasure.*

Matt 25:14-30.

v14 *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.*

v15 *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.*

v16 *Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.*

v17 *And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.*

v18 *But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.*

v19 *After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.*

v20 *And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.*

v21 *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.*

v22 *He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.*

v23 *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.*

v24 *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:*

v25 *And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.*

v26 *His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:*

v27 *Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.*

v28 *Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.*

v29 *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.*

v30 *And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.*

*Insight and Highlight.*

The choice of three servants was representative of all humanity especially followers of Christ.

*Scripture Commentaries.*

The choice of three servants out of many servants the master in the parable of the talents is God's way of teaching us that as special abilities defer between three servants so it is with every of his servants.

No two servants have the same abilities, no two persons (even identical twins) have the same abilities and no two followers of Christ have the same abilities.

While the parable teaches a variety of five, two, the narrative gift of one to the third servant highlights and teaches that those who feel they have the least talent/gift/ calling are wrong afterall. The Kingdom expects them to use what they have.

Every person is entrusted with something (life, gifts, resources) and will answer for how they invested it.

It is not about unequal distribution but accountability and though there is unequal distribution it is about abilities and equal expectations.

We are not different as co-labourrers with God nor do our different abilities make us different. We are one because each received the talents from the master (who is God).

In other words, since there are variations of the talents no one should feel any different or more special before God since the talent big, medium or small come from God.

Paul says in 1 Cor 4:7 *For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?*

Popularity is not spirituality. More exposure is not spirituality. More

followership/recogntion is not spirituality.

More manifestation is not spirituality.

In fact, an apparent manifestation of an anointing can be the working of Satan, 2 Cor 11:14, Matt 24:24.

Obscurity is not irrelevance and fame is not acceptance, ref 1 Kgs 19:18.

Fame does not guarantee eternity with Christ nor does obscurity guarantee eternity.

It is the works of your hands that will speak into your eternity.

Paul says God *".......will render to every man according to his deeds:* Rom 2:6

Faithfulness was required regardless of the amount of talent entrusted. This is what matters to the Kingdom. It is not necessarily the volume but the

the expectations of faithfulness regardless of the amount entrusted.

Do you think you are irrelevant because you are not as known or followed like some in the Kingdom?

Your reward will not be based on popularity but your works in faithfulness.

How faithful are you with what God has given you?

*Remorse corner.*

In the Kingdom both the unknown and the known, the highs and the lows, the

much, some, little, high, moderate, low, or any stage or platform, everyone has the capacity to be productive.

*Call to word action.*

The purpose is not necessarily the difference in talent distribution but in the

individual contributions and proper functioning to promote healthy, collective growth in the body of Christ.

Eph 4:16 *From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.*

*The Christian clarion duty.*

Though we are all gifted severally and every gift/talent is distinguished whether five, two or one , the expectation: (stewardship, faithfulness, accountabily) is one and equal.

*Prayer.*

Lord help me to work within the talent and special abilities God has given me with utmost faithfulness in Jesus name.

Good morning all and have a blessed day.

God bless you.

Shalom.