GOD IS AN INVESTOR (6).

*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*

*GOD IS AN INVESTOR (6)*

*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.*

You cannot return the investment of God without making gains on it.

*Scripture Commentaries.*

The master in the parable of the talents entrusted large sums of money (talents) to servants. Two invested and doubled their amounts, receiving praise, while the third buried his talent.

The master called him "wicked and slothful," and was punished.

Refusal to use the talent was inactivity and punishable.

This parable teaches us on the weight of Kingdom responsibility and the serious consequences of neglecting it.

Besides the neglect of the third servant, it teaches, us looking at the wider examination, of abandonment, quitting the service of God.

Though the parable did not say the servant quitted but the reaction of the master indicated the servant's lack of interest to continue serving Him.

The master's statement in Matt 25: 28-29 indicated the total withdrawal of all Kingdom privileges from the servant.

He would have none of His master's resources again.

*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.*

He was condemned in Matt 25:30

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

Often times, people quit the service of God, though not intentionally but out of frustration, injustice, man-made laws, removal, retirement, fear, economic, social, marital reasons etc. While God frowns at injustices, He often does not want us to quit His service, 1 Sam 4:9, 1 Cor 16:19, Lk 9:62. He encourages courage, Josh 1, and endurance, Matt 24:19.

The question that should come to mind from this parable is in the form of God asking the third servant this question:"You have come back to me with no gain on the talent given you, you are an unprofitable servant but how are you going to return the time, the ministry gifts, friut, the impartation and the total investment of the Kingdom in you?

Matt 25:28 *"Take therefore the talent from him,......."* tells us of the Kingdom's expectation to "surrender" what has been given him. Though the Kingdom is rich in all and to all but it may be right to say it has zero tolerance to default, negligence especially in areas/circumstances/situation He knows He has given us the ability to manage, control and subdue.

The Kingdom can not lose. There will never be a vacuum in it.

When you make the Kingdom lose, there is someone to gain for it.

*Remorse corner.*

Neglecting to do what is within the abilities which God has given us is as bad as quiting the Kingdom.

*Call to Word action.*

The consequences of neglecting the needful expected of you in the Kingdom is considered a loss to the Kingdom.

*The Christian clarion duty.*

You will lose more than the Kingdom would lose. The gain you deprived the Kingdom is temporary when you neglect to do what is expected of you. The one who would replace you will cancel out your loss.

*Prayer.*

Lord, let me be a gain for the Kingdom of God, in Jesus name.

Good morning all and have a blessed day.

God bless you.

Shalom.