Matthew 25 - God Is Not Opposed To Giving Out Rewards! - Matthew 25
Verses for the Day
The Parable of the Bags of Gold
14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag,[a] each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
Commentary
Jesus again teaches two parables about what the "Kingdom of God" is like. These parables teach principles, which we can build our lives on. The parables teach us how to live a productive Christian life.
There are two types of judgments when Jesus returns. The first is based on whether you have believed in Jesus or not. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Our salvation and forgiveness of sin, which we will need to be reconciled to God, can only come through Jesus and what He did for us on the cross.
Those who believe in Jesus will spend eternity with him, while those who reject him will be separated him forever. You may say, "This sounds harsh". But we know God desires all people to be saved. 1 Timothy 2:4 Unfortunately some people reject the free gift of eternal life in Jesus. It grieves God but He has given every person free will.
But there is another type of judgment you might not hear about as much in church. It is a judgment based not on faith, but faithfulness. It is a judgment based on what we have done with the gifts we have been given. Just like the man going on a journey called his servants and gave them wealth, we too have been entrusted with God's riches.
The servants were each given a differing amount of talents (bags of gold), according to their ability. This reminds us that God gives some of us more than others. When Jesus returns we won't be judged what God has given someone else's talents. We will all be judged only by what God has given us and what we have done with it.
It is important to note that this was a large amount of money given to each servant. A talent in Jesus' day was worth a about 20 years of labor. That's a lot of money. For the servants with 2 and 5 talents it was then worth 40 years and 100 years of labor. This is why it was so imperative that they, "Put it to work"!
Yesterday we talked about when Jesus returns. No one knows the day or the hour of His return, only the Father in heaven. He will come like a "thief in the night". The man in the parable was gone a long time, but there was a day of reckoning. A day he called in the three servants to give account of what they had done with what they had been given.
The first two servants doubled the money the man gave them. That's a pretty good return, 100%! Ironically the man with the least amount of money hid the money. His excuse for not doing anything with it was that he didn't want to lose any of the master's money. I think this was a bogus excuse. I think he was just lazy. Whatever the case the man was not happy, and took his talent and gave it the one who had doubled his money.
The first two servants who doubled the money were given a commendation from the man. He said, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
So you see the reward of faith in Jesus is eternal. The rewards of being faithful, are rewards we will be given and use in heaven. Also, we will enjoy the master's happiness and be in his presence forever!
Application
When Jesus returns, like the man in the parable he will as us what did with the treasure we had been given. Did we put it to work? Did it grow under our management? Will we hear the words, "Well done good and faithful servant"?
What are the ways we can put the treasure God has given us to work?
1, The greatest treasure we have been given is the gift of faith in Jesus. Do we keep that treasure to ourselves or share it with our family, friends, and the people God brings into our lives? There are many people who have not received the treasure of the grace of God in Christ Jesus.
As the book of Romans says, "How will they believe if they have not heard. How will they hear if no one bring them the message? How blessed are the feet who bring Good News!" Matthew 10:14-15
2. The bible teaches us that we have all been given at least one spiritual gift to build up the church. 1 Corinthians 12-14 Examples include: teaching, preaching, pastoring. healing, caring, and supernatural gifts like prophecy, speaking in tongues, and words of knowledge.
You may have one or more based on what God has entrusted to you through the Holy Spirit.
3. Finally, some people are blessed with financial resources to help the church to grow. Every Christian is called to give generously to the Church, but some people have been blessed more than others.
As Jesus says, "To those who have even more will be given."
Where do you need to put to work the treasures God has entrusted to you?
Do you long to hear the words, "Well done good and faithful servant!" Let's get to work!
Prayer of the Day
Heavenly Father, you have given us every good and perfect in heaven, especially the gift of Your Son. Help us to put the gifts we have been given to work for You and Your kingdom. Give us the wisdom, power, and strength be ready when you return. May we be faithful to you, as You have been faithful to us. Amen.
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