Monday, October 17, 2022

Faithful Investments – The Vault

October 17, 2022/in Bible Study, Week 2

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This weekend, Ben Snyder unpacked the “Parable of the Three Servants (or Talents),” a story told by Jesus. In the story, a master who is going out of town gives each of his three servants the responsibility of managing some of his money while he’s away. He gives one servant five bags of silver, another servant two bags of silver, and the final servant one bag of silver.

When the master returns, the servants each give an account of what they did with the money they were given.

The servant given five bags of silver had invested it and now had ten bags.

The servant given two bags had invested it and now had four.

It’s a whole other discussion why the servants weren’t each given the same amount, but I want to focus on the fact that the master was proud of both of these servants—to each of them he 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!” (Matthew 25:21, 23).

It wasn’t about how much they’d been given, but about what they’d done with it.

I might not be qualified to write on this—sometimes I’m embarrassed by how much I’ve been given. Growing up, I never had to worry about money; in college, my parents paid my tuition; and after college, they let me live at home rent-free while I found a job and saved up money.

I can’t take credit for what I have because I know it was given to me. Still, my parents are proud of how I used what they gave me, because I was responsible with it. Although they paid for my college tuition, I took my education seriously and graduated a year early. While they let me live at home rent-free, I put over 50% of my paycheck into savings for a down payment on a house. A lot was given to me, but I invested it faithfully.

My dad, on the other hand, was given much less than I. As the second youngest of twelve kids, he worked hard to pay his way through college and graduated without debt. After he and my mom married, they lived below their means and put extra money toward their mortgage so they could pay off their house early. As a result, they were able to help me so much.

It didn’t matter that my dad started off with less. He was faithful with what he’d been given—arguably more faithful than I was—considering where he started.

Now the third servant, who was given one bag of silver, did not invest it. He buried it in the ground to keep it “safe,” and although the servant gave back what he’d been given, the master was displeased.

I wonder how my father would’ve felt if I’d done the bare minimum in college—graduated without taking my education seriously—or if, while I was living at home, I’d spent all the money I earned on clothing or going out with friends.

I know my dad loves me unconditionally, but I think he’d have been disappointed.

The examples I’ve given involve finances, but the principle is not limited to money in the slightest. We must be faithful with how we invest everything we’re given—time, skills, intelligence, values, and so much more. This goes beyond what our earthly parents have given us. I know for some, that really isn’t much.

Fortunately, we all have a heavenly Father who gave everything for us.

1 Corinthians 6:20

…for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

Questions:

What has your heavenly Father given you? How can you invest it well?

Next Steps:

Take inventory of the resources God has given you—not just your finances—but also your gifts and talents, the people in your life, your job, your strengths, etc. Evaluate how well you are using each of these resources.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank you for the sacrifice you gave to save me. Thank you for giving your Son so that I may live—not just survive—but have a rich and satisfying life. Help me to use what you’ve given me in a way that brings you glory. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.