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June 18, 2021

God Expects a Return on His Investment

June 18, 2021 by COLETTE CORREA EXPECTATION Expectations
God Expects a Return on His Investment
“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. “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ “His master replied, ‘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!’ “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ “His master replied, ‘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!’ “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Matthew 25:14-30

There is a parable that I ponder deeply every time I read it, and it is the Parable of the Talents, found in Matthew 25:14-30. A  man goes on a journey and gives his servants portions of his estate to manage while he is away. Upon return, he finds that the one who had received five bags of gold gained five more. The one who was given two bags of gold gained two more. However, the one who was given one bag confessed he did nothing but bury the gold because he was afraid and also blamed the master for being demanding. Consequently, the master is enraged, gives the talent to the servant who had 10, and the worthless servant is dragged away and punished for not having done what had been expected of him.


Here is what we learn from this parable:



  1. Everyone was entrusted with a portion of the man’s wealth. (v. 14)


  2. Not everyone received the same amount; each was given an amount based on their ability. (v. 15)


  3. Although it took a long time, the master eventually returned from his journey. (v.19)


  4. When the man returned, he settled his accounts, expecting a return on his investment. (v.19)


  5. Those who gained and bore fruit were praised, rewarded and entered into their master’s happiness. (v. 21, 23)


  6. The one who did not gain anything was punished and experienced weeping and gnashing of teeth (v.30)



How are YOU using what God has entrusted you with? Would God see a return on his investment from your life if He were to return today? God has created each one of us for a unique purpose and He wants us to use the gifts, talents, and abilities He has placed in us. We must remain diligent and watchful, for we do not know the day or the hour when our Master will return, expecting us to give an account. The important question right now is what are you doing with what He has entrusted you, with the time you have been allotted?

Closing Prayer
Gracious Heavenly Father, thank you for opening my eyes to learn from the Parable of the Talents. Help me be a good steward of the gifts, talents, and abilities you have placed in my life so I can bear fruit. In Christ’s name I pray. Amen.
Resources
Video: The Gospel of Matthew Chapter 25:1-30 by LUMO This is a visual of Matthew 25:1-30, which starts with the parable of the ten virgins and is then followed by the parable of the talents.
Question for Reflection

As you seek to use your gifts, talents, and abilities in the time you have been allotted, what steps can you take to make your goals achievable?

Comments
Colette Correa
June 18, 2021

In the past few years, I have used the SMART method of goal setting to help me measure my progress in ministry. That acronym stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely. It is a helpful tool that helps you keep track with how you are progressing in reaching your goals.
Without goal setting, one can easily become complacent and lose track of the expectations that we have for ourselves and even forget that God does expect us to actively work to be fruitful.