Matthew 25:14-30

Spiritually there are those who are missing the strawberries of God's blessings because they are afraid of life's scarecrows. However, there can be no strawberries of excitement in our Christian life without adventure. But, because the status quo defines our boundaries, protects our sacred beliefs, and often limits our possibilities it becomes the mold into which everything must fit. When the status quo becomes a limitation of our possibilities it robs us of the true adventure of an exciting Christian life.

In the Adventure of Being a Christian, God Gives Us Each Different Spiritual Abilities.

The forgiving grace of God makes us responsible for what we do with our opportunities to follow Jesus and make disciples.

One requirement of Christian discipleship is using the ability that God has given for His glory.

If we take the talent He has given us and keep all the interest for ourselves, then we are guilty of spiritual embezzlement.

Judgment is based, not on the amount of accomplishment, but according to faithfulness.

"... From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked" (Luke 12:48).

God never demands ability which we do not have, but He does demand that we faithfully use what we do have.

The Reward of Work Well Done Is More Work to Do.

The reward of the two servants who had done well was not retirement.

The two faithful servants were given greater tasks and responsibilities.

To Do Nothing Is to Incur the Judgment of God.

The test question is : "What have you done with the talent entrusted to you?"

The unfaithful servant did not lose his talent; he simply did NOTHING with it.

Because we cannot be spectacular, we sometimes refuse to be useful at all. Value is not measured in dazzle, but in usefulness.

To Keep a Talent, it must Be Used.

A talent usefully exercised becomes progressively more useful.

Fail to exercise your talent and it will lose its usefulness.

Are you taking any risks in following the Master? Are you involved in helping others find joy and excitement in Jesus Christ? Does your faith make a difference in your lifestyle?