Make A Difference - Use or Lose It.
Make a Difference – Use or Lose It.
With the turbulence in the stock market and banks and companies failing and filing for bankruptcy, there is the tendency for most people to fear and put their monies under their pillow. Some are even predicting the end of the world as a result of the recent economic downturn. On the other hand, smart investors are taking advantage of the bargain and buying up stocks at very cheap prices so that they can reap big gains in the future.
Today, Jesus confronts our fear of investing and reluctance to use what has been given to us for advancing His kingdom. It is not a question of how much you have but what you are doing with what you have in your hands. You either use it or lose it.
Luke 19: 11-23
11While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. 12He said: "A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. 13So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas.[a]'Put this money to work,' he said, 'until I come back.'
14"But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, 'We don't want this man to be our king.'
15"He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it.
16"The first one came and said, 'Sir, your mina has earned ten more.' 17" 'Well done, my good servant!' his master replied. 'Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.'
18"The second came and said, 'Sir, your mina has earned five more.' 19"His master answered, 'You take charge of five cities.'
20"Then another servant came and said, 'Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. 21I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.'
22"His master replied, 'I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? 23Why then didn't you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?'
24"Then he said to those standing by, 'Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.' 25" 'Sir,' they said, 'he already has ten!'
26"He replied, 'I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away. 27But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me."
Here are my observations in addition to the ones you may have:
1. Luke states the context of the parable. People were about ready to check out (expecting the arrival of the kingdom of God) and thus there was no need to endeavor and be busy with business. Jesus gives the parable to correct this wrong attitude.
2. In a similar account in Mathew 25 14-30, the minas or talents were given to “each according to his ability”. We all have different talents and no ones are more special than the other. The issue is what are we doing with what we have been given?
3. There is commendation for using and employing our talents. There are also rewards. “Well done, my good servant!' his master replied. 'Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.' The rewards are great.
4. Let’s now understand where a lot of us are sometimes. The servant who would not use his talent (under the pillow servant) but accuses his master is typical of our lives. We complain and accuse God for what we don’t have instead of using what we have in our hands.
5. The root of the problem for the “under the pillow” servant is fear. He said, “I was afraid of you.” Fear will cause us to make the wrong assumptions of others and the circumstances. Fear is the lack of trust in the provision of God. What are you afraid of? And who have you been accusing for your low performance? It is not up to others for you to make a difference. You have the responsibility. Only you know what God has put in you. Use it! Don’t wait for the big stuff.
6. Jesus wants us to look inside of us to see what He has given us and use it. Like the federal government annual leave policy, you either “use it or lose it”. Many will miss their destiny because of fear. What are we afraid of? There are all kinds of fears - Fear of the unknown, fear that God will not back us up; fear that people will not receive our gesture of love, fear of rejection.
7. Let’s challenge our selves. Is it possible that some things you have lost lately are because you have not been able to use them the way and for the intent God gave them to you? It is time to take stock and stop whining and complaining. At any given moment in time, God has given us enough to make a difference with. We have enough seeds in us to produce fruit that will remain. Are you producing and using your talent or are you afraid? Afraid of what?
May God help us to “occupy” till He comes. What is in your hands? Is it your job, position, time, children, good health or lack there of or even money? Use it or lose because we must give account. May we be found as one of the servants, “Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities”. Amen.
With the turbulence in the stock market and banks and companies failing and filing for bankruptcy, there is the tendency for most people to fear and put their monies under their pillow. Some are even predicting the end of the world as a result of the recent economic downturn. On the other hand, smart investors are taking advantage of the bargain and buying up stocks at very cheap prices so that they can reap big gains in the future.
Today, Jesus confronts our fear of investing and reluctance to use what has been given to us for advancing His kingdom. It is not a question of how much you have but what you are doing with what you have in your hands. You either use it or lose it.
Luke 19: 11-23
11While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. 12He said: "A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. 13So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas.[a]'Put this money to work,' he said, 'until I come back.'
14"But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, 'We don't want this man to be our king.'
15"He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it.
16"The first one came and said, 'Sir, your mina has earned ten more.' 17" 'Well done, my good servant!' his master replied. 'Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.'
18"The second came and said, 'Sir, your mina has earned five more.' 19"His master answered, 'You take charge of five cities.'
20"Then another servant came and said, 'Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. 21I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.'
22"His master replied, 'I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? 23Why then didn't you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?'
24"Then he said to those standing by, 'Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.' 25" 'Sir,' they said, 'he already has ten!'
26"He replied, 'I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away. 27But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me."
Here are my observations in addition to the ones you may have:
1. Luke states the context of the parable. People were about ready to check out (expecting the arrival of the kingdom of God) and thus there was no need to endeavor and be busy with business. Jesus gives the parable to correct this wrong attitude.
2. In a similar account in Mathew 25 14-30, the minas or talents were given to “each according to his ability”. We all have different talents and no ones are more special than the other. The issue is what are we doing with what we have been given?
3. There is commendation for using and employing our talents. There are also rewards. “Well done, my good servant!' his master replied. 'Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.' The rewards are great.
4. Let’s now understand where a lot of us are sometimes. The servant who would not use his talent (under the pillow servant) but accuses his master is typical of our lives. We complain and accuse God for what we don’t have instead of using what we have in our hands.
5. The root of the problem for the “under the pillow” servant is fear. He said, “I was afraid of you.” Fear will cause us to make the wrong assumptions of others and the circumstances. Fear is the lack of trust in the provision of God. What are you afraid of? And who have you been accusing for your low performance? It is not up to others for you to make a difference. You have the responsibility. Only you know what God has put in you. Use it! Don’t wait for the big stuff.
6. Jesus wants us to look inside of us to see what He has given us and use it. Like the federal government annual leave policy, you either “use it or lose it”. Many will miss their destiny because of fear. What are we afraid of? There are all kinds of fears - Fear of the unknown, fear that God will not back us up; fear that people will not receive our gesture of love, fear of rejection.
7. Let’s challenge our selves. Is it possible that some things you have lost lately are because you have not been able to use them the way and for the intent God gave them to you? It is time to take stock and stop whining and complaining. At any given moment in time, God has given us enough to make a difference with. We have enough seeds in us to produce fruit that will remain. Are you producing and using your talent or are you afraid? Afraid of what?
May God help us to “occupy” till He comes. What is in your hands? Is it your job, position, time, children, good health or lack there of or even money? Use it or lose because we must give account. May we be found as one of the servants, “Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities”. Amen.
Comments