Post by Woody Williams on Nov 13, 2005 7:28:19 GMT -5
Text for the Day -- Matthew 25:14-30
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'For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and
entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to
another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then
he went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at
once and traded with them, and made five more talents. In the same
way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the
one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the
ground and hid his master's money. After a long time the master of
those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Then the one who
had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more
talents, saying, "Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I
have made five more talents." His master said to him, "Well done,
good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few
things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy
of your master." And the one with the two talents also came forward,
saying, "Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made
two more talents." His master said to him, "Well done, good and
trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will
put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master."
Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward,
saying, "Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you
did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was
afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have
what is yours." But his master replied, "You wicked and lazy slave!
You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where
I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the
bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with
interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with
the ten talents. For to all those who have, more will be given, and
they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even
what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless slave, throw
him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing
of teeth."
Devotional
----------
You could call this story "the tale of the wasted life." Nothing of
the gifts given to the one talent servant produced anything beyond
itself. There is purpose and vocation built into our lives. God has
made us as purposeful and creative creatures. Each of us is part of
the whole that is the wondrous creation of God. We are meant to be
fruitful with our particular gifts that will enhance others and
create harmony and beauty in this world.
Prayer
---------------
Open my heart to share my life and gifts with others, O Lord. Amen
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'For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and
entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to
another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then
he went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at
once and traded with them, and made five more talents. In the same
way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the
one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the
ground and hid his master's money. After a long time the master of
those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Then the one who
had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more
talents, saying, "Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I
have made five more talents." His master said to him, "Well done,
good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few
things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy
of your master." And the one with the two talents also came forward,
saying, "Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made
two more talents." His master said to him, "Well done, good and
trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will
put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master."
Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward,
saying, "Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you
did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was
afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have
what is yours." But his master replied, "You wicked and lazy slave!
You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where
I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the
bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with
interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with
the ten talents. For to all those who have, more will be given, and
they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even
what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless slave, throw
him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing
of teeth."
Devotional
----------
You could call this story "the tale of the wasted life." Nothing of
the gifts given to the one talent servant produced anything beyond
itself. There is purpose and vocation built into our lives. God has
made us as purposeful and creative creatures. Each of us is part of
the whole that is the wondrous creation of God. We are meant to be
fruitful with our particular gifts that will enhance others and
create harmony and beauty in this world.
Prayer
---------------
Open my heart to share my life and gifts with others, O Lord. Amen