Rick Odden

Mathew 25:14-18 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

I read a devotional recently by Roland Heersink on the Parable of the Loaned Money and I am going to paraphrase some of it. These verses can be viewed from the three stages of our life and spiritual growth. When we first enter into our relationship with Jesus we receive the great gift of eternal life and our lives begin to change. We are excited, changed, and unsure of the journey ahead.

We study our Bible, we pray, we grow in our faith, and as our understanding of God’s Word grows, so should our boldness to share what Christ means to us.

Having worked with youth for many years I have witnessed the excitement and change that takes place in the heart to follow Christ. When asked how they share their newfound faith, they typically say, “I let my actions speak for themself.”

Is that not like taking your bag and putting it in the ground? It’s kind of like buying fire insurance. You protect yourself from the fire (hell), but you hope it is never needed (sharing it publicly). We know it's there, safe and secure. Mathew 25:25 states, “So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.”

The single bag of gold represents our initial faith in God. When asked, we may say we have faith and believe, and even received the gift of salvation.   

The second stage in our faith is when we transition into more in-depth discipleship and studying of the Word. We begin to pray and attend Bible studies to know more about God. Soon our faith begins to grow within the safety of our church. 

For many Christians, our faith is shared with our “church” friends and those in our small groups. All of these are important steps to help us focus on what has eternal value and grow the kingdom of God.

Spiritual growth hidden within the church walls is like two bags of gold. Not only have we received the gift of eternal life, but we are learning to rely on the Holy Spirit. Through a consistent prayer life and time with God, we actively seek to know what God’s purpose is for our lives. God begins to nurture our spiritual gifts so that we can invest in the lives of others and in specific ministries.

The third stage of our faith is the depth of our investment into the first stages of our personal walk with God and time disciplining and supporting the church. 

As we mature spiritually, we become more comfortable in our witness of who Jesus is to us. We are emboldened by the Holy Spirit to reach out to those who are outside the church walls. Our faith is not meant to remain hidden within the safe walls of a church or small group. We have all been commissioned by God to do missions, whether near or far.

What is essential to everyday life is much different than it is when one is a teenager. Perspective on life begins to change. Life changes and so should our heart to do the will of God.

It is at this point we should seek out more ways and opportunities to share God’s goodness, grace, love with others.  

It is like that man who received five bags of gold. Most of us have come through life’s trials. We lived through joys and sorrows, which means we have more to offer to others. We have a better grasp of God’s grace and love because of the experiences he has led us through personally. We see our own personal growth because of what we have invested in our personal relationship with God. God places a desire to reach out, share with others.  

A heart for God should grow in service to God. Acquiring more of God and less of the world isn’t an attitude of “I will do whatever I want,” but “what does God want of me and my time?”

Mathew 25:20 states “The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. 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!’

Just like this parable, I have reached retirement, my days are no longer structured by an agenda or clock, but my heart continues to ache to reach the lost. How I go to others will look different than it did when I worked with youth and when we were living in one place for a long period of time.

What I am coming to understand is time is not mine but God’s. The time God has given me on earth is to share his good news, his love, forgiveness, and grace. Have I been perfect in pursuing this goal? Far from it, but my “bags of gold,” are not the things of this world. I want to strive for more of God each and every day.

Mathew 25:34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

The words I do not want to hear when I arrive at the throne of God are:

“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. “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 25:21-30

So my challenge to those who read this is be bold in your faith. Invest in all three stages and God will embolden and strengthen you to go into all the world and share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Mark 16:15

May God bless you and keep you as you go about your day. Speak truth and love into the lives of all those you come in contact with. 

Image by Linda Hamilton from Pixabay