Be A Good Steward of God's Gifts and Riches
Mt 25:14-30 "For it is as if a man going abroad called his own servants and gave them his goods.
"And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to each according to his ability. And he went abroad at once. And going he who had received the five talents traded with them, and made another five talents."
"And likewise he who had received two, he also gained another two.
"But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the earth and hid his lord's silver.
"After a long time the lord of those servants came and took account with them.
"And so he who had received five talents came and brought another five talents, saying, 'Lord, you delivered five talents to me. Behold, I have gained five talents above them.'
"His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful over a few things; I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'
"He also who had received two talents came and said, 'Lord, you delivered two talents to me. Behold, I have gained two other talents above them.'
"His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'
"And he who had received the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew that you were a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter. And I was afraid and went and hid your talent in the earth. Lo, you have yours.'
'His lord answered and said to him, 'Evil and slothful servant! You knew that I reaped where I did not sow, and gathered where I did not scatter, then you should have put my money to the exchangers, and coming I would have received my own with interest. Therefore take the talent from him and give it to him who has ten talents.
For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will abound. But from him who has not, even that which he has shall be taken away from him. And throw the unprofitable servant into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'"
We all talk about the rewards of salvation, forgetting the responsibility. Jesus reminds us again that we are to take what is given and multiply it FOR THE LORD.
Tithe
Mt 23:23 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithes of mint and dill and cummin, and you have left undone the weightier matters of the Law, judgment, mercy, and faith. You ought to have done these and not to leave the other undone."
Luke 11:42 "But woe to you, Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and pass over judgment and the love of God. You ought to have done these, and not to leave the other undone."
2 commands, 1 verse. The efficiency of our Lord often staggers me. Living the command to watch our words as well. :)
Paul clarifies for Gentiles that we are give as we are able. Legally, Israel was to give much more than a mere tithe, giving of first fruits, leaving foods to be gleaned, giving on celebration days, paying "alms" and much more. Though he never commanded it, Jesus lauded the widow who gave all of the very little she had as opposed to the ruling class of that time who actually avoided temple taxes at every turn with their "traditions."
Give To The Least Of His People
Mt 25:35-46 "'For I was hungry, and you gave me food; I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and you took Me in; I was naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.'
"Then the righteous shall answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and fed You? Or thirsty, and gave You drink? When did we see You a stranger, and took You in? Or naked, and clothed You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and came to You?'
"And the King shall answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brothers, you have done it to Me.'
"Then He also shall say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his angels. For I was hungry, and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty, and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in; I was naked, and you did not clothe Me; I was sick, and in prison, and you did not visit me.'
"Then they will also answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister to You?'
"Then He shall answer them, saying, 'Truly I say to you, Inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into everlasting life.'"
Luke 3:11 He answered and said to them, "He who has two coats, let him give to him who has none. And he who has food, let him do likewise."
Luke 14:12 And He also said to him who invited Him, "When you make a dinner or a supper, do not call your friends or your brothers, or your kinsmen, or your rich neighbors; lest they also invite you again, and a recompense be made to you. But when you make a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and you shall be blessed, for they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just."
Give and expect delayed gratification. Ouch. Don't we just cringe and hear the yowling of "pie in the sky." Yet, that's the promise. hold fast and expect later rewards, whatever they may be, in heaven. One we can lay at the feet of the King and have him call us "good and faithful." Much more than pie. I always find tears in my eyes when I read or write those words. Just to hear that, from Him. Pie pales in comparison. Even home made cherry pie, hot and ready, with ice cream or whipped cream. Even the very best we may imagine, paling before a few words from the Father.
