{"id":403,"date":"2025-01-01T03:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-01-01T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/reflectivebiblestudy.com\/gospeladventure\/?p=403&2024"},"modified":"2024-12-30T17:00:09","modified_gmt":"2024-12-31T00:00:09","slug":"given-a-chance-matthew-25-14-30","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/reflectivebiblestudy.com\/gospeladventure\/given-a-chance-matthew-25-14-30\/","title":{"rendered":"Given a Chance: Matthew 25:14-30"},"content":{"rendered":"
Focus Passage: Matthew 25:14-30 (NLT)<\/div>
\r\n

14\u00a0<\/sup>\u201cAgain, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. 15\u00a0<\/sup>He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last\u2014dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip.<\/p>

16\u00a0<\/sup>\u201cThe servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more. 17\u00a0<\/sup>The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more. 18\u00a0<\/sup>But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master\u2019s money.<\/p>

19\u00a0<\/sup>\u201cAfter a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money. 20\u00a0<\/sup>The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of silver came forward with five more and said, \u2018Master, you gave me five bags of silver to invest, and I have earned five more.\u2019<\/p>

21\u00a0<\/sup>\u201cThe master was full of praise. \u2018Well 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\u2019s celebrate together!\u2019<\/p>

22\u00a0<\/sup>\u201cThe servant who had received the two bags of silver came forward and said, \u2018Master, you gave me two bags of silver to invest, and I have earned two more.\u2019<\/p>

23\u00a0<\/sup>\u201cThe master said, \u2018Well 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\u2019s celebrate together!\u2019<\/p>

24\u00a0<\/sup>\u201cThen the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, \u2018Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn\u2019t plant and gathering crops you didn\u2019t cultivate. 25\u00a0<\/sup>I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.\u2019<\/p>

26\u00a0<\/sup>\u201cBut the master replied, \u2018You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn\u2019t plant and gathered crops I didn\u2019t cultivate, 27\u00a0<\/sup>why didn\u2019t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.\u2019<\/p>

28\u00a0<\/sup>\u201cThen he ordered, \u2018Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver. 29\u00a0<\/sup>To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. 30\u00a0<\/sup>Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.\u2019<\/p>\r\n

Read Matthew 25:14-30<\/a> in context and\/or in other translations on BibleGateway.com!<\/p><\/div><\/div>\r\n

In this journal entry\u2019s passage\/parable, a subtle but amazing truth about God is shared. While most people simply think of this parable on the surface level of money and\/or talents, Jesus gives an amazing hint into God\u2019s character that is often missed.<\/p>\r\n

This truth is found when combining something we know about God with something that is shared in the parable \u2013 specifically as the characters are being introduced. In verses 14-15, we read, \u201cThe Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last\u2014dividing it in proportion to their abilities.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\r\n

What clued me into thinking there must be something is deeper is the very last phrase in verse 15: \u201cdividing it in proportion to their abilities<\/strong>\u201d. If we understand the man leaving on the trip to represent God, think for a moment about what God knows \u2013 which is everything, including the past and the future. While dealing out the money, He already knows that the first two servants will double their investments, while the third one would do nothing with it. This foreknowledge would affect His choice when determining the \u201cabilities\u201d of each of the three servants.<\/p>\r\n

But while He knew that servant #3 would miss the intention of this exercise, what amazes me is that God still gives this servant the chance to prove Him wrong. Even if this third servant was the least promising one of the group, he still is given the chance to invest and grow the master\u2019s money. Even with one bag of silver, this least promising servant could have doubled, tripled, or quadrupled the investment, and while it would have been harder for him, since he had the least ability, I don\u2019t think the percentage difference would have been missed when the master returned.<\/p>\r\n

The truth this tells me about God is simple: Even though God knows the future, He still gives everyone the opportunity to invest with Him, and to multiply the gifts He has given to each of us. Even the least \u201ctalented\u201d person is given the chance to invest and grow.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

This thought was inspired by studying the Walking With Jesus<\/strong> \u201cReflective Bible Study\u201d package. To discover insights like this in your own study time, click here<\/a> and give Reflective Bible Study a try today!<\/em><\/p>

Subscribe<\/a> to this blog and never miss an insight.<\/em><\/p><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"In this journal entry\u2019s passage\/parable, a subtle but amazing truth about God is shared. While most people simply think of this parable on the surface level of money and\/or talents, Jesus gives an amazing hint into God\u2019s character that is often missed. 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