Message from Chuck Allen on August 5, 2022
In episode pf the Weekday Podcast, Pastor Chuck Allen reflects on the parable of the talents from Matthew 25, emphasizing the importance of using our God-given resources responsibly. He retells the story of three servants who were entrusted with varying amounts of money by their master, highlighting how two invested wisely while the third buried his in fear. Pastor Chuck encourages listeners not to let fear or comparison hold them back but to live boldly for God's kingdom.
Thank you for joining me on today's weekday podcast.Today I want to take us straight to Matthew's Gospel in chapter 25 and talk about responsibilities that have been delegated. Responsibilities that have been delegated. You all know the story, probably, of the story that Jesus tells of the talents.
Well, in here we have delegated responsibilities from a master to three servants. And so the story goes, it's like a man going off to an extended trip. He called his servants together and delegated responsibilities. To one he gave $5,000, to another $2,000, to a third $1,000, depending on their abilities. Then he left, right off. The first servant went to work and doubled his master's investment. The second did the same, but the man with a single thousand dug a hole and carefully buried his master's money. And after a long absence, the master of those three servants came back and settled up with them.
The one given $5,000 showed how he had doubled his investment.His master commanded him, good work, you did good work, good job. From now on, be my partner. The servant with $2,000 showed how he had also doubled his servant's investment. And his master commended him, good work, you did your job well. From now on, you will be my partner. And the servant given $1,000 said, Master, I know you have high standards and hate careless ways, that you demand the best and make no allowances for error. I was afraid I might disappoint you, so I found a good hiding place and secured your money. Here it is, safe and sound to the last cent.
The master was furious. That's a terrible way to live. It's criminal to live cautiously like that. If you knew I was after the best, why did you do the least with that bit of money? Well, the least you could have done, the master said, would have been to invest the sum with the bankers, where at least I would have gotten a little interest. Take the thousand and give it to the one who risks the most. And get rid of this play it safe, who won't go out on a limb, throw him into utter darkness.
All of us have times, I think, when it seems that everyone else has more than we do. We absolutely can covet what they have, and instead of devoting ourselves to use what we do have, I promise you, Jesus has no patience with us when we do that.
This story is a reminder for us to live our lives just as they are, to the glory of God, to go all out, to sell all out, to be a great adventure and a great investor into kingdom work. Do you ever possibly use what you think you don't have as an excuse to do nothing?
Let this be your prayer. Help me to accept my status, Lord Jesus, and be thankful for what you have already given me, and help me to participate in the exchanges of love that will profit for your kingdom. Amen.
Thanks so much for joining us today for the weekday podcast. We would love to see you at Sugar Hill Church for one of our gatherings each Sunday at 9:30, and 11, and we are always streaming live at live.sugarhill.church.
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