READ | SERMON NOTES
Summary l In the parable of the talents, the person given one talent thought that it was inconsequential and buried it. Later it was taken from him. The lesson here is that God expects us to be faithful, even when given one talent. But we have received quite a few talents. Peter reminds us that God has given us out of His manifold grace. In speaking and serving; there are the gifts of prophecy, teaching, exhortation, giving, leadership, compassion, wisdom, faith, healing, miracles, discernment, tongues, interpretation, administration, evangelism, pastoring etc.
As stewards, we must identify our gifts and put them to good use. Have we identified these gifts and are we employing them? It may be something we are passionate about or are good at. God wants us to employ our talents and surely not to bury them. In Christ’s body … God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. (Rom 12: 4,6) Every talent is important and we have a role to play.
A poor steward either buries and neglects the talents or uses them for self-gain and self-glory. In the parable of the rich fool, the man had excellent business acumen. He was so successful that he only thought of enlarging his barns to store his wealth. But that very night, his life was demanded of him. Jesus added, that so it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God. The man was to be a steward of his life and resources. He was foolish in not realizing that all his efforts were put in the wrong things. He thought that he answered to no one except himself.
In contrast, a good steward uses the manifold gifts of God to serve one another — so that God may be glorified. Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies. (v10-11) As good stewards, we are the hands and feet of God. We simply offer what little we have to God’s hands to get started in good stewardship. At the beginning of his ministry, Moses was asked by God what he had in his hands. Moses probably did not think much of his wooden staff. But God used it to part the Red Sea and lead the slaves out of Egypt. A boy with five loaves of bread and two fishes, in the hands of Jesus, could miraculously feed five thousand.
Let us learn to offer what little we think we have into the service of God. We just lift it up to God for use to serve one another and glorify God. Instead of barking up the wrong tree and making efforts that are futile before the Lord, we need to be humble good stewards. In offering our time, energy, wisdom, experiences and much resources that God has entrusted to us, may we be found to be faithful servants by God.
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- What are my gifts?
- Which of my gifts/talents have been disused/neglected? How can they be used to God’s glory?
- What are my next steps as a good steward with God’s manifold grace in my life?
