Post by Woody Williams on Nov 3, 2010 8:01:51 GMT -5
Text for the Day -- Luke 19:11-23
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As they were listening to this, he went on to tell a parable, because
he was near Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of
God was to appear immediately. So he said, ‘A nobleman went to a
distant country to get royal power for himself and then return. He
summoned ten of his slaves, and gave them ten pounds, and said to
them, “Do business with these until I come back.” But the citizens of
his country hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, “We do
not want this man to rule over us.” When he returned, having received
royal power, he ordered these slaves, to whom he had given the money,
to be summoned so that he might find out what they had gained by
trading. The first came forward and said, “Lord, your pound has made
ten more pounds.” He said to him, “Well done, good slave! Because you
have been trustworthy in a very small thing, take charge of ten
cities.” Then the second came, saying, “Lord, your pound has made
five pounds.” He said to him, “And you, rule over five cities.” Then
the other came, saying, “Lord, here is your pound. I wrapped it up in
a piece of cloth, for I was afraid of you, because you are a harsh
man; you take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not
sow.” He said to him, “I will judge you by your own words, you wicked
slave! You knew, did you, that I was a harsh man, taking what I did
not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? Why then did you not put
my money into the bank? Then when I returned, I could have collected
it with interest.”
Devotional
----------
This rather strange parable points to the truth that what we have is
a gift from God. This gift of talents and skills are given to us to
bear fruit for the kingdom of God. Putting our gifts on the shelf or
only using them in self-serving ways leads to our judgment and
punishment. Gifts are given to us to use in God's loving purpose for
the world, the whole world, especially that part of the world that is
needy for the riches of the kingdom.
Prayer
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Open my eyes to those whom I may be able to serve, gracious God. Amen
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As they were listening to this, he went on to tell a parable, because
he was near Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of
God was to appear immediately. So he said, ‘A nobleman went to a
distant country to get royal power for himself and then return. He
summoned ten of his slaves, and gave them ten pounds, and said to
them, “Do business with these until I come back.” But the citizens of
his country hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, “We do
not want this man to rule over us.” When he returned, having received
royal power, he ordered these slaves, to whom he had given the money,
to be summoned so that he might find out what they had gained by
trading. The first came forward and said, “Lord, your pound has made
ten more pounds.” He said to him, “Well done, good slave! Because you
have been trustworthy in a very small thing, take charge of ten
cities.” Then the second came, saying, “Lord, your pound has made
five pounds.” He said to him, “And you, rule over five cities.” Then
the other came, saying, “Lord, here is your pound. I wrapped it up in
a piece of cloth, for I was afraid of you, because you are a harsh
man; you take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not
sow.” He said to him, “I will judge you by your own words, you wicked
slave! You knew, did you, that I was a harsh man, taking what I did
not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? Why then did you not put
my money into the bank? Then when I returned, I could have collected
it with interest.”
Devotional
----------
This rather strange parable points to the truth that what we have is
a gift from God. This gift of talents and skills are given to us to
bear fruit for the kingdom of God. Putting our gifts on the shelf or
only using them in self-serving ways leads to our judgment and
punishment. Gifts are given to us to use in God's loving purpose for
the world, the whole world, especially that part of the world that is
needy for the riches of the kingdom.
Prayer
---------
Open my eyes to those whom I may be able to serve, gracious God. Amen