Matthew 25:14-18 Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. (NIVUK)
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Jesus often used illustrations from business life. This one is about a man who gave money to trusted servants, expecting them to invest it profitably. He then went away but clearly expected a good return on his investment.
The parallel is obvious. Jesus came, made disciples and then gave them the gospel of salvation so that it could be invested into the lives of people and win souls for glory. He gave people, including the apostles, inspired by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:11-13) to equip the whole church to demonstrate and explain the character of God and His grace (1 Corinthians 12:4-11). Each believer is Christ's investment to bring His light to a dark world and multiply the light as people are converted and give more glory to Him.
Jesus was going away. The apostles would be left with the Holy Scriptures including the gospel and the Holy Spirit who would give spiritual gifts. That investment will 'mature' when Jesus comes back again. In the story, two of the servants made 100% profit but the third servant had no interest in putting his Master's investment to work. And so Jesus taught that there would be two kinds of people: those who were eager for the Master's capital to increase and those who had no interest in what the Master would get on his return (lazy, sulky, hating their Master or too busy with their own concerns to work for him).
Judas Iscariot went one step further and tried to get the value of the Master for himself – but he lost everything. Most of the others invested their lives and brought great profit to the Lord - much glory and many new believers into God's family. If you are in Christ then you have been given spiritual gifts with which to glorify God. What are you doing with them? They are not toys for your amusement but tools to use in the building of His kingdom. When He returns, what profit will you be able to show for all He has invested into you? Will He have been glorified; will there be new believers; will His kingdom have grown?
Prayer: My Lord and Master. Thank You for having given to me some spiritual gifts, special abilities which You have inspired so that I can bring glory to You and work with You to build Your kingdom. Forgive me when I have not been interested in serving You or using Your gifts - through preoccupation with my own interests, laziness or indifference. Please help me to see in these verses that You have given gifts, and that You fully expect them to produce a return on investment. Give me a willing spirit to use Your gifts so that You get the glory. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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