GOD IS AN INVESTOR (8).

*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*

*GOD IS AN INVESTOR (8)*

*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.*

Jesus teaches us through the parable of the talents how ungrateful people can be.

*Scripture Commentaries.*

External kindness often does not change a corrupt heart.

Some people can be very ungrateful despite all your efforts to make life better for them.

The parable teaches us how people can be so ungrateful even at your best benevolent act of kindness to them or at your sacrificial act to make them great in life.

Ungrateful people are insulting and you can not be ungrateful without insulting your helper.

Ungratefulness is an insult.

You can not be sincerely grateful and not respectful.

The third servant 'traded' insult instead of trading talent given him.

He was so harsh to his master (representing God or Christ) suggesting the master takes credit for others' labour.

He made a disrespectful remark telling his master *"......Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:* Matt 25:24.

Some have and still insult Jesus, ref Psa 14:1, 1 John 2:22.

The scriptures tell us how God has shown people who have severally insulted His name but He seemed not to show anger or annoyance at what is perceived as the unfair treatment of His name compared to when people disobeyed His word, 1 Sam 15:11, 22-23, 16:1.

Psalm 138:2 says about God: *".....for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.*

Jesus said in Matt 12:31, that if anyone blasphems the Spirit: in other words says what is false about the Spirit of God or arrogate the works of the Spirit to the power of Satan, such person would not be forgiven unto salvation since he has refused and rejected the word of God that would save him.

The third servant was chastised for not investing the talent, and for calling his master one who reaps *"...... where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:*(Matt 25:24) but was offered respite and advised to do better (if he ever had the chance again).

He was however condemned to *".....outer darkness:........"* where *".....there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.*Matt 25:30. This was due to disobedience to the spoken instructions, directives, command and word of his master.

John 14:21 says *He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.*

John 10:27 *My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:*

If you obey God's word, you will not insult Him. If you fear Him you will obey Him, Prov 9:10, Eccl 12:13.

It teaches us how some people can use vital and life-saving information given them

against their helpers.

The master condemned the servant for not using the knowledge he was given as motivation.

No ungrateful or ingrate will attain eternal life, Matt 25:30.

Imagine ending up in hell for being ungrateful?

Imagine being in hell with people who committed heinous crimes?

Though all unrighteousness is sin but any form of neglect can not be counted less. It is an indication that we have not hidden God's word in our hearts enough to take His word with all seriousness.

The third servant did not hide the word in his heart. He ignored it as fast as he heard or received it. It was nothing to him

Acts 17:28 says *For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.*

How are you treating God's investment in you?

Is it life or lifeless?

*Remorse corner.*

The talent was to make his life better but he rewarded his master's good for evil.

Prov 17:13 *Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.*

*Call.to Word action.*

Isaiah 26:10:  *Let grace be shown to the wicked, Yet he will not learn righteousness; In the land of uprightness he will deal unjustly, And will not behold the majesty of the Lord.*

*The Christian clarion duty.*

Psalm 119:11  *Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.*

*Prayer.*

Lord help me to hide God's word in my heart so that l do not sin against Him, in Jesus name.

Good morning all and have a blessed day.

God bless you.

Shalom.