GOD IS AN INVESTOR (5).

*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*

*GOD IS AN INVESTOR (5)*

*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.*

A man cannot be profitable in an investment he does not appreciate.

*Scripture Commentaries.*

No one can be useful in an office he does not appreciate.

A talent is a piece of money but the lesson is not just investing the talent but also about investing our lives.

He had one talent but was not ready to participate in the Kingdom assignment.

2 Cor 8:12 teaches us that God values a sincere and eager intention to give over the amount given. In other words to do more than he has been given because he is in possession of the opportunity to do more.

If you are in possession of something, you should have the willingness to improve on it.

*For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not".*

The one with the one talent had the means to add value or give based on what he actually possessed, so much is desired of him. He did not have the excuse of not having anything.

True stewardship, accountability and fruitfulness ought to have been rooted in a willing heart to prove himself but he did not have a willing and participatory heart.

Only the two who had the willing hearts brought gains on their five and two talents respectively.

The third servant lacked a transformed mental, spiritual and financial outlook.

He lacked an internal renewal of thoughts and attitudes, enough to align with God's investment in him.

All three were servants. Two had the leadership mentality but only one had a servant mentality: a mentality that limits one in the same position without the potential for growth and greatness.

We all have the talents God had given and we can make it work when we have the right attitude of mind. 

You can not lose with God.

God rewards active participation.

The first is in giving. What you give

Jesus promises that generous giving results in receiving a "good measure" that is "pressed down," "shaken together," and "running over".*

*".......For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."* Lk 6:38

What you give is what you get and often times you receive more.

The second is you can not over participate in God's Kingdom but you can underparticipate. To harvest little is better that harvesting none.

The master said to the two faithful servants *"......thou hast been faithful over a few things,....."* Matt 25:21-23.

Both that came with additional five and two were measured as gains regardless the number or amount of what the master gave them and what they returned on their investment but the third who hid his and brought it back was not measured in gain but in loss.

You can not be too small to be great!

Make an impact in the Kingdom.

*Remorse corner.*

True profitability on God's investment is rooted in the willingness of the heart.

*Call to Word action.*

The parable teaches on the reciprocal nature of giving and receiving. The two who came back with more gain received more. *For unto every one that hath shall be given,* *and he shall have abundance......."* Matt 25:29.

*The Christian clarion call.*

You can not expect gain on resources you have not invested. God invested in you. He expect you to further invest.

*Prayer.*

Lord, let me not be slack to participate in Your Kingdom. Help me to appreciate Your investment in me and let me actively participate in Jesus name.

Good morning all and have a blessed day.

God bless you.

Shalom.