Re: Verse reading – Deuteronomy 8:10-18; Matthew 25:14-30 (day seven)
“Well done, good and faithful slave; you were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your Master.” (Matthew 25:23) Who is the most joyful person you know? Is she/he active in serving others or caught up in the pursuit of leisure and self? I think I know the answer. When Jesus described the life of service to God and others, He did so in terms of joy. Not burden. Joy! Not the kind that enters into me (“I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart!”) but rather a joy that I enter into by the surrender of life to the purposes of God. We were made for good works. (Ephesians 2:10) So,it makes sense to me that one of the rewards of working with/for God is a deep satisfaction. Don’t delay! Find a place of service! Joy will come.
Month: August 2014
More or less?
Re: Verse reading – Deuteronomy 8:10-18; Matthew 25:14-30 (day six)
“For to everyone who has, more shall be given. . .but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away.” (Matthew 25:29)
New Testament scholars call it “the law of spiritual capital”. If we have a job (and do it), we will be offered more jobs. If we have a gift (and use it), more opportunities will come. It is no conspiracy that 80% of the work is always done by 20% of the people. Jesus says that this is just the way things work! The reverse is true for those who do not have jobs (almost certainly because they have ignored or refused the obvious opportunities. . .”I am busy”, “I don’t feel qualified”) or if we do not do the job already ours then, eventually, the opportunities will stop coming. God-given gifts atrophy when unused. God does not waste grace. Which will it be for you? More or less?
Starting with Nothing
Re: Verse reading–Deuteronomy 8:10-18; Matthew 25:14-30 (day five)
14 “For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them.” In this parable what can the slaves call their own? What do they actually begin with? Nothing. They are slaves. They depend on the master for food, clothing, shelter, and provisions. Then he gives them “talents”. It’s a humble place to start, but I believe that it leads to an insightful perspective. Psalm 24:1 “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it”.
I read this week in an article “the more you own, the less freedom you have.” It made me pause and think. I wonder however, if these passages might change our perspective of the Lord and ourselves. What about this: The more we “steward” the more freedom (and joy) we gain. Something to think and pray about.
Deflecting the Praise
Re: Verse reading- Deuteronomy 8:10-18; Matthew 25:14-30 (day four)
We all enjoy the praise of others…probably way too much. One of the character qualities we have taught our children is to ‘deflect the praise’. Deflecting the praise requires humility. When praised, our response should be to immediately remember those who have invested in us to enable us to accomplish that deed and then to acknowledge it openly…It may be financial provision, or a teacher who taught us the skills, or parents who sacrificially provided for us to have the opportunity to learn. Deflecting the praise to others not only recognizes their contribution, but it reminds us of God’s provision in our lives. Humility replaces pride. “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6) God, in His Sovereignty, has given us talents, promises, skills, and opportunity. May we never forget the source of our blessing!
Resources
Re: Verse reading–Deuteronomy 8:1-20; Matthew 25:1-46 (Day Three)
“I will put you in charge of many things.” It’s easy to read this portion of scripture as if it says, “You can now take it easy, because you’ve arrived.” But we don’t steward resources in order to get rewarded with a life in which we can waste resources. We steward resources because are made in God’s image. God is the maker of all things, and he stewards the things he has made. When we steward what we have been given by honoring God and doing good to others, we live true to that image in which we are made. We then rise to the high calling of living like God lives.
Making the most
Re: Verse reading–Deuteronomy 8:10-18; Matthew 25:14-30 (day two)
Recently I read an article of a former classmate of mine who has just been named to a highly esteemed position in the early music world in New York City. I was delighted to hear of his success, but then the inner voices began; you know the ones. He’s younger than you…this will bring him fame, and fortune…look at all his success. It is so easy to covet and lose sight of what God has done for each of us. As I reread the Parable of the Talents, I was quickly reminded to make the most of what God had given to me. God’s measure of success is vastly different from mine, and it would be folly to think that I know how to better use my gifts than the Lord. God has uniquely blessed each of us, and we are to find a way to cultivate it, so there will be a great return on His investment.
Talented people
Re: Verse reading–Deuteronomy 8:10-18; Matthew 25:14-30 (day one)
“A man going on a journey. . .called his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent.” (Matthew 25:14-15) Our English word actually comes from this story. In the time of Christ, a talent was a coin or weight of measure. As the gospel spread through the world (and we praise God for it’s gradual, powerful influence) talent came to mean a God-given ability or skill. There are no untalented people! That is what Jesus would say. Some receive many gifts. Others few. All some. “But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” (1 Corinthians 12:7) The important point is that we all owe the Giver effective use of His gifts. Money, time, family, freedom, health, opportunities, skill, education, creativity, mentors. . .What has God given you? What will you employ in His kingdom service?
Shelter and shadow
Re: Verse reading–Mark 10:35-45; John 13:12-17; James 2:14-17 (day seven)
“He who dwells in the SHELTER of the Most High will abide in the SHADOW of the Almighty.” (Psalm 91:1)
“If you know these things, you will be BLESSED if you do them.” (John 13:17)
Jesus calls us to a life of blessing. What He commands of us is difficult, no argument, but very beneficial. His formula for abundant life. In the ancient world a shadow was a good thing, a cool, protected place to stand in the desert heat. Jesus promises this cool blessing to all who surrender to His life and example. It is not enough to know what He teaches. We must do what He teaches. We must deny self and ego and begin to serve others. Those who do so begin to experience the results that are promised to the children of God. Do you desire to live in the shelter and shadow of the Almighty? Believe and begin today!
The Other Symbol
Re: Verse reading- Mark 10:35-45; John 13:12-17; James 2:14-17 (day five) 43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
The disciples were so selfish and seemingly disconnected from what was really going on. Jesus was communicating really BIG things. Perhaps they picked up on the symbol of the cross. It is the ultimate sign of submission and sacrifice. I’m guessing though, they missed the other symbol. The towel. It is the symbol of service. Most of us know deep in our hearts we are not the greatest. No need to be convinced. But, our pride and selfishness create this desire to not be “the least” (last). “At least I’m better than some/most”. Yet, Jesus challenges this idea with His teaching and actions. So, they not only heard it (Mark 10), they saw it (John 13).
Footwashing followers
RE Verse reading–Mark 10:35-45; John 13:12-17; James 2:14-17 (day six) “If I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.” (John 13:14) Washing feet was stinky business. Unpleasant and thankless. The work of slaves. A symbol for all ego-insulting and necessary tasks. When the King of Glory knelt to do this work, He created a crisis in the heart of every follower. Do I deny MYSELF ( my protests and desires for recognition and pleasure) or do I deny MY MASTER? Both in example and instruction Jesus commanded the path of humility and service–make the apology, accept the assignment, deny yourself, meet the need even at the cost of great discomfort. Jesus warned us not to attempt a life of higher privilege and ego-safety than He allowed Himself. He even promised a blessing to those who follow Him example. What prevents our obedience? What hard thing will you do today because you are a follower of Jesus?