GOD IS AN INVESTOR (3)

*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*

*GOD IS AN INVESTOR (3)*

*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.*

God has expectations. We have responsibilities.

*Scripture Commentaries.*

The master in the parable of the talents entrusts large sums of money (talents) to three servants. Two invest and double their amounts, receiving praise.

They produced a return on investment, they gained profitable returns or appreciation in value to their master.

The Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30 teaches us that God expects us to be profitable. Whatever we do for God does not stop at using the resources but we must add value. We must go and grow higher and higher.

It highlights the need to invest in others and the Kingdom.

The Parable of the Ten Minas (Luke 19:11-27): Similar to the talents, ten servants are given one mina each and told to *occupy till l come* (in other words, "engage in business") until the master returns. It emphasizes responsibility and accountability capped with the productive reward.

The productiveness of the two servants was a fitting climax to Jesus' messages to His followers of His expectations.

In the Parable of the Hidden Treasure (Matthew 13:44): A man finds treasure in a field and sells all he has to buy it, illustrating the "investment" of everything for the supreme value of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Jesus teaches us that investment is profitable when it is made in good and rightful hands. Rightful hands are people who know its worth.

He teaches us that strategic and tactical decisions are important and knowing where, who and what to invest are critical and vital decisions that would determine gainful investment.

If not, why did the two who had five and two each become more gainful than the one who had one?

The parable teaches individual accountability though God freely gives to all and He sovereignly distribute to all. It is a tailored distribution, not equal amounts.

As each of us has been given according to our several abilities, so each of us will give account according to our diverse capacities for service.

Whatever carries a cost requires accountability.

Whatever is costly requires wise use.

The Kingdom investment in you is at a cost, therefore Kingdom investment is too costly to waste.

What does God's investment in you worth today?

*Remorse corner.*

He provides the resources to facilitate or produce a return to Him.

*Call to Word action.*

His expectation is gain on His investment Our responsibility is to produce the gain.

*The Christian clarion duty.*

The parable teaches us that we all will account before God. Everyone will have something to account before Him. No one will appear without something to account for, Rom 14:12.

*Prayer.*

Help me to use Your investment in me wisely. Let me return with gain to the Kingdom in Jesus name.

Good morning all and have a blessed day.

God bless you.

Shalom.