Monday, March 22, 2021

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 22 March 2021

 

The Best of Your Service

For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.(Matthew 25:14-30)

 

Today’s Morsel:  When you go to work, do you give your employer your absolute best?  Jesus said, “And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?” (Luke 16:12)  In other words, God is not going to give that which He desires to give to you if you are not faithful to others who trust you with their goods.  Your employer hires you because they trust you.  But if you are not faithful, pretty soon it will show.  In today's parable, the owner trusts his servant with talents.  And when he returns, two of them have proven faithful and gained more. The owner tells them “well done” good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of the Lord.  I like how Jesus relates the joy of the Lord with faithfulness.  The two servants that are rewarded with joy proved faithful.  But the one who did nothing with what he was given, states that he was afraid.  He was fearful.  He hid his master’s talent.  His action shows us that fear will steal your joy.  Fear will cause you to hide the talent and ability that Jesus has given you, and you will not advance His kingdom. Let me encourage you, Jesus has dealt to everyone a talent.  So, use what He has given you and advance the kingdom.

 

Sing:  If when you give the best of your service, telling the world that the Savior has come, be not dismayed when men don’t believe you; He’ll understand and say, “Well done.”

O’ when I come to the end of my journey, weary of life, and the battle is fought and the victory is won, carrying the staff and the Cross of redemption, He’ll understand and say, “Well done.”

 

Thought For Today: Purpose to gain one more talent this week (Parker).

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