Matthew 25:14-30
“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going into another country, who called together his servants and loaned them money to invest for him while he was gone.
“He gave $5,000 to one, $2,000 to another, and $1,000 to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities—and then left on his trip. The man who received the $5,000 began immediately to buy and sell with it and soon earned another $5,000. The man with $2,000 went right to work, too, and earned another $2,000.
“But the man who received the $1,000 dug a hole in the ground and hid the money for safekeeping.
“After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to him to account for his money. The man to whom he had entrusted the $5,000 brought him $10,000.
“His master praised him for good work. ‘You have been faithful in handling this small amount,’ he told him, ‘so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Begin the joyous tasks I have assigned to you.’
“Next came the man who had received the $2,000, with the report, ‘Sir, you gave me $2,000 to use, and I have doubled it.’
“‘Good work,’ his master said. ‘You are a good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over this small amount, so now I will give you much more.’
“Then the man with the $1,000 came and said, ‘Sir, I knew you were a hard man, and I was afraid you would rob me of what I earned, so I hid your money in the earth and here it is!’
But his master replied, ‘Wicked man! Lazy slave! Since you knew I would demand your profit, you should at least have put my money into the bank so I could have some interest. Take the money from this man and give it to the man with the $10,000. For the man who uses well what he is given shall be given more, and he shall have abundance. But from the man who is unfaithful, even what little responsibility he has shall be taken from him. And throw the useless servant out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
For several months now, Greg and I have kept our great-nephew, Nathan, on Mondays and Fridays while his parents work and his older siblings are at school. Today, Timothy joined us, because he was sent home yesterday with a fever, and children cannot return to school until they are fever-free for 24 hours. This also happens to be Timothy’s 7th birthday. So we are spending the day playing with Legos® and other toys, watching movies, reading books, and eating pizza - and cheese sandwiches with mayonnaise and “no crust” (Timothy’s personal favorite!).
For today, this is my treasure. I could choose to pretty well ignore the boys – to plant them in front of the TV and go on about my day. I could pretend I didn’t hear them when they tell me they are hungry. I could let 3-year-old Nathan take himself to the bathroom and trust him to wash his own hands afterward (not!) – and even take his own bath and wash his hair himself! I could get out toys and crayons and set up movies for the children, put a slice of pizza or a cheese sandwich on a plate and say, “You’re on your own.”
OR, I could spend time working puzzles and chasing the boys with toy airplanes…watching videos and movies on TV…reading books…making sure they have plenty to eat and drink…making them bubble baths and shampooing their hair, and generally letting them know how important they are to us and how much we love them. The more we “sow into” these boys, the more they will develop into well-rounded children and adults.
My point is that every day, you and I are given responsibility for “treasure” – and today, ours is the nurture and care of these two little boys. Yours may to be the best student, employee, boss, mom, dad, sister, brother, cousin, teacher or spouse that you can be. You may be retired, and your “treasure” is the investment you sow into people and projects that further God’s kingdom. You may be sick or injured, and your “treasure” is to uplift and motivate others by your own prayers, encouragement and demonstration of Christian discipleship.
God calls us to make the most of whatever “treasure” He gives us each day. We are to recognize His gifts and be faithful stewards of them…to make the most of every single blessing and responsibility – even if it involves Legos®, pizza and cheese sandwiches. So how are you doing today?
©2016 Debbie Robus
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