Wednesday, November 17, 2021
[Jesus continued:] "Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last — dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip.
"The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more. The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more. But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master's money.
"After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money. The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of silver came forward with five more and said, 'Master, you gave me five bags of silver to invest, and I have earned five more.'
"The master was full of praise. 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!'
"The servant who had received the two bags of silver came forward and said, 'Master, you gave me two bags of silver to invest, and I have earned two more.'
"The master said, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!'"
We love grandiose plans, huge accomplishments, and impossible goals. But leadership in the Kingdom is about faithfulness. It is important to Jesus that disciples be proven in their faithfulness before they are appointed to serve as leaders. Demonstrated faithfulness in small things is a prime indicator of ability to be faithful in big things.
This trial by faithfulness is crucial because the Kingdom needs leaders who serve out of a sense of honor and humility, and faithfulness in small things becomes a way of shaking out false motives and showing the genuineness of a servant's heart. It also helps God's servants learn the skills of service before facing the full assault of Satan's attacks as designated leaders!
O Lord God Almighty, King of the Ages, please raise up women and men in your Kingdom who have a heart to serve no matter the task. Please give us leaders who know Jesus from the shadow of his cross and not just the glory of his power. And Father, gently cleanse my heart of pride and ego as I seek to grow and mature as a faithful servant for your glory and the growth of your Kingdom. In Jesus' holy name, I pray. Amen.
What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.
What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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