The Ultimate Gift Giver

Whatcha Gonna Do With Whacha Been Given?

Sermon from cong. readings in Matt 24-26 – Dec 21, 08  bk@kluth.org

Matt 25:14-29 [The kingdom of heaven will be like] a man going on a journey, who 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, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more.  So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. But the man who had received the one talent 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 the five talents brought the other five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. 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 the two talents also came. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with two talents; 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 the one talent 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 talent 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.  "'Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents.  For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance.

1 - Recognize what the Master has given you

1 Peter 4:10 God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God's many kinds of blessings.

2 - Resist complaining and comparing

John 21:19-23 [Jesus] said to [Peter], "Follow me!"  Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them…When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?"  Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me."

The only “fair” in Colorado is in Pueblo.

Phil 2:14 Do everything without complaining or arguing.

3 - Risk what you’ve been given to multiply it

Eccl 11:6 Keep on sowing your seed, for you never know which will grow-perhaps it all will.   Eccl 11:2 Give a portion to seven, yes, even [divide it] to eight, for you know not what evil may come upon the earth.^AMP

Prov 10:4 Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.

4 - Realize there will be an accounting

Acts 1:11 (Angels said to the disciples) “This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."   2 Cor 5:9-10 We make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

5 - Rejoice in your Master’s happiness

Matt 25:23 "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!'

Prov 16:15 Many favors are showered on those who please the king.^TLB

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DAILY BIBLE READINGS: Read Ps 119:129-176, Mt 27-28, I Thess 1-2