What Jesus Did! 'A Hard Man?' — Matthew 25:24-27

Tuesday, November 18, 2025

[Jesus continued his story about the man who entrusted various servants with different amounts of his money while he was on a trip:] "Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, 'Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn't plant and gathering crops you didn't cultivate. I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.'

"But the master replied, 'You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn't plant and gathered crops I didn't cultivate, why didn't you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.'"

— Matthew 25:24-27 NLT

Key Thought

Fear is such a debilitating and limiting emotion, especially when it comes to fearing God. Yes, we must approach God with reverence and awe. Yes, we must realize our insignificance in the face of his greatness and majesty. Yes, we must acknowledge our sinfulness in the face of his holiness. But, God has called us and adopted us into his family. He has made us his children and given us his Spirit to live inside us. Our relationship to God must be based on a reverential and respectful awe, not a debilitating and cowardly fear. Just as God supplied Moses with the power he needed to lead the Israelites even though he felt insufficient, so God will supply us with power if we will seek to serve him with boldness for his glory and not our own! We must not be slaves to fear.

Today's Prayer

Holy and Most High God, you alone are worthy of my worship, my love, and my awe. No one and no thing compares to your grandeur and majesty. I am humbled and exhilarated that you have adopted me into your family and have beckoned me to call you my Abba Father. Please cast all fear out of my heart and fill it with your all-sufficient and mighty love. I want to bring you praise and bring your people your blessing without fear and without hesitancy. To the glory of and in the name of Jesus, my Savior and Lord and King. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • 1 John 3:19-24
  • Romans 8:14-17
  • 1 John 4:13-18

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

4 Related Resources by Heartlight

The Sin of Living too Cautiously
Article by Rubel Shelly
Are you willing to risk to honor God? Rubel Shelly reminds us that caution rooted in the fear of God can be a bad thing when we are trying to serve him with the gifts he has given us to be used for his glory.
I'll Take My Two Talents!
Article by Lisa Mikitarian
How much is enough? Lisa Mikitarian talks about the parable of the talents and learning to focus on using what we have and not saying, "If only"
Would Someone Please Help?
Article by Phil Ware
You've been there, haven't you, where you needed help and wondered if anyone was there? Phil Ware talks about using our summers to do God's work.
The Power to Risk
Article by Phil Ware
So is it really better to be safe than sorry? Phil Ware talks about the old adage, better to be safe than sorry, and shows what Jesus says about it: the follower who takes this approach will be condemned.

Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 25:24-27 NLT — "Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, 'Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn't plant and gathering crops you didn't cultivate."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Tuesday, November 18, 2025

Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Charles H. Spurgeon:
"Our misery is that we thirst so little for these sublime things, and so much for the mocking trifles of time and space."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Nothing Else Matters!' (Jn. 6:63)
"[Jesus said,] "The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you — they are full of the Spirit and life.""
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'You Thrill Me!' (Ps. 92:4-5)
"You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done. O Lord, what great works you do! And how deep are..."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
John 15:16
"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit — fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name."

About This Devotional

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.

More What Jesus Did!