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No one can stand still for long in the Christian life. We either get more or we lose what we have. We either advance towards God or we slip back. Do you seek to serve God with the gifts, talents, and graces he has given to you?

 

Memorial of St Augustine, bishop and doctor of the Church

1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Psalm 33:12-13, 18-19, 20-21

 

M atthew 25:14-30 "For it will be as when a man going on a journey called his servants and entrusted to them his property; (15) to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. (16) He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them; and he made five talents more. (17) So also, he who had the two talents made two talents more. (18) But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. (19) Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. (20) And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, `Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.' (21) His master said to him, `Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.' (22) And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, `Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.' (23) His master said to him, `Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.' (24) He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, `Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not winnow; (25) so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.' (26) But his master answered him, `You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sowed, and gather where I have not winnowed? (27) Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. (28) So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents. (29) For to every one who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. (30) And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.'

 

Meditation by Don Schwager

 

W hat can economics and productivity teach us about the kingdom of heaven? Jesus' story about a businessman who leaves town and entrusts his money with his workers made perfect sense to his audience. Wealthy merchants and businessmen often had to travel abroad and leave the business to others to handle while they were gone. Why did Jesus tell this story and what can it teach us? Most importantly it tells us something about how God deals with us, his disciples and servants.

 

The parable speaks first of the Master's trust in his servants. While he goes away he leaves them with his money to use as they think best. While there were no strings attached, this was obviously a test to see if the Master's workers would be industrious and reliable in their use of the money entrusted to them. The master rewards those who are industrious and faithful and he punishes those who sit by idly and who do nothing with his money.

 

The essence of the parable seems to lie in the servants' conception of responsibility. Each servant entrusted with the master's money was faithful up to a certain point.

 

The servant who buried the master's money was irresponsible. One can bury seeds in the ground and expect them to become productive because they obey natural laws. Coins, however, do not obey natural laws. They obey economic laws and become productive in circulation. The master expected his servants to be productive in the use of his money.

 

What do coins and the law of economics have to do with the kingdom of God ? The Lord entrusts the subjects of his kingdom with gifts and graces and he gives his subjects the freedom to use them as they think best. With each gift and talent, God gives sufficient the means (grace and wisdom) for using them in a fitting way.

 

As the parable of the talents shows, God abhors indifference and an attitude that says it's not worth trying. God honors those who use their talents and gifts for doing good. Those who are faithful with even a little are entrusted with more! But those who neglect or squander what God has entrusted to them will lose what they have. There is an important lesson here for us.

 

"Lord Jesus, be the ruler of my heart and thoughts, be the king of my home and relationships, and be the master of my work and service. Help me to make good use of the gifts, talents, time, and resources you give me for your glory and your kingdom."

 

Supplementary Reading

Crowned with Goodness

 

"You crown the year with Your bounty and goodness…" - Psalm 65:11

 

 

T he Lord has crowned your year with bounty and goodness! That means there is an abundant supply for whatever you may need—spiritually, physically, emotionally and financially. He has also set up a system so that you can access His blessings. It's the system of seedtime and harvest. If you have a need in your life, sow a seed. For example, if you're lonely and need friends, sow a seed by being a friend to someone.

 

If you have a financial need, pray and ask the Lord where you should sow a financial seed.

 

The Bible says to give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over. That's God crowning your year with bounty and goodness.

 

Do you need mercy? Sow seeds of mercy. The more you sow, the more you will reap a harvest from God's abundant bounty.

 

Remember, He's already crowned your year with His goodness. Take a step of faith today and believe that God is ready to pour out His abundant blessing on you all the days of your life.

 

{xtypo_quote} Heavenly Father, thank You for supplying all my needs according to Your riches in glory. I submit my resources to You today and ask You to show me where I can sow seeds and be a blessing to those around me. In Jesus' Name. Amen.—Joel & Victoria Osteen

GOD BLESS US ALL!

O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

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