WARM-UP
What do you dream about...
Consider reading the book “In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day” by Mark Batterson
I picked up this book in the summer of 2016 – one of the most difficult years at that point in my life.
A coworker said to me, “Everyone I know who has read that book has quit their job soon after.”
I quit my job less than one year later to pursue graduate school and something more, but I had no idea what that something was.
Through this passage, I would like to talk about the two kinds of people. But first let me tell you quickly about Benaiah in 2 Samuel 23:20-21. When faced with a lion he chose to pursue it. He followed it into a pit, covered with snow and killed the lion. He was so equipped and prepared for the challenge it seems he didn’t know to do anything but what he did. Now let’s look at the servants in the parable.
God has placed in you an amount of capital to invest. For each of us it looks a little different. Your capital investment comes through
Which servant do you want to be?
Preparation + Execution = Domination
Every day we get to chose whether to give the microphone to hope or fear. The choice we make is the life we will lead. – Bob Goff, author, lawyer, school planter, world traveler, family man
14 “For it is just like a man about to go on a journey. He called his own servants and entrusted his possessions to them. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent, depending on each one’s ability. Then he went on a journey. Immediately 16 the man who had received five talents went, put them to work, and earned five more. 17 In the same way the man with two earned two more. 18 But the man who had received one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money.
19 “After a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five talents approached, presented five more talents, and said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents. See, I’ve earned five more talents.’
21 “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy.’
22 “The man with two talents also approached. He said, ‘Master, you gave me two talents. See, I’ve earned two more talents.’
23 “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy.’
24 “The man who had received one talent also approached and said, ‘Master, I know you. You’re a harsh man, reaping where you haven’t sown and gathering where you haven’t scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went off and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’
26 “His master replied to him, ‘You evil, lazy servant! If you knew that I reap where I haven’t sown and gather where I haven’t scattered, 27 then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and I would have received my money back with interest when I returned.
28 “‘So take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have more than enough. But from the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 30 And throw this good-for-nothing servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Matthew 25:14-30 CSB
Prayer: Thank you for your faithfulness to us. Thank you for entrusting every person with gifts and talents to enjoy and use to glorify you. Please guide each of us in the process of taking risks and living a bold life that draws other people into relationship with you. Remind us that you want us to enjoy what you have given us as well and let that enjoyment radiate from us so others will be drawn to you. In Jesus' name, Amen.
