With all that is happening around the world today, we can’t help but think that we are drawing closer to the second coming of the Lord. Nobody can predict when a thief will come because they will always pick a time when we least expect them. Likewise, we won’t know the time of the second return of Jesus Christ. Therefore, we will need to ensure that we are prepared for it when He returns. There will come a day when we are to give an account of our lives to the Lord. This is why we need to consecrate our plans to God and ensure that we are walking in His perfect will.
The original word in Greek for “talent” means money, and it refers to the Lord’s money which all of us are stewards of. Some of us are entrusted with more, and others less. We are also given based on our abilities and trustworthiness. Nevertheless, we are all expected to use His money wisely, with the interest of the Lord in mind.
God is a compassionate God. He expects us to use the finances that He has entrusted us with to help those in need. God expects us to do good works to increase the fruit of our righteousness and to help in the spreading of the Gospel.
1 Corinthians 3:8 (NJKV) Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.
Each man’s work will be revealed on that day. The kind of work that survives the test of fire is made of gold, silver and precious stones. Such works which the Lord will bless on that day are done out of a pure heart, right motives and out of our love for God. It means even if I am not paid, acknowledged or even appreciated, I will continue to serve because I know I will receive a reward from the Lord.
Let everyone of us work in anticipation of hearing this comment at the end of the day when we meet the Lord face to face: “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.” (Matthew 25:21,NKJV)
Sermon Series: Faithful Stewards (Talents)
良善又忠心的仆人
马太福音25:16-19 那领五千的随即拿去做买卖，另外赚了五千。 17那领二千的也照样另赚了二千。 18但那领一千的去掘开地，把主人的银子埋藏了。 19过了许久，那些仆人的主人来了，和他们算帐
帖撒罗尼迦前书5:2 因为你们自己明明晓得，主的日子来到，好像夜间的贼一样。
当今世界所发生的一切让我们不得不认识到主耶稣的再来离我们越来越近了。没有人能够预判贼来的时刻, 因为贼总是挑选人们最意想不到的时间。同样, 我们也不会知道耶稣再来的时间。因此, 我们务必确保当耶稣复临时, 我们准备就绪。 这一天必将来临, 届时我们需要向主为我们的生活交账。 这正是为什么我们需要将我们的计划分别为圣, 为神摆上, 并确保我们行在神的完美旨意里。
“Talent天赋”在希腊语中的本意是金钱，它指的是主的钱，我们所有人都是主的管家。我们中的一些人被托付更多一些，而其他人则少一些。多或少也基于我们的能力和信誉。无论多少，主对我们的期望是我们明智地使用祂的钱，将主的旨意铭记在心。
神是有怜悯有恩典的神。祂期望我们使用祂所托付给我们的资产去帮助有需要的人们。神期望我们行善, 结出更多义的果子, 助力福音的传播。
哥林多前书3:8栽种的和浇灌的，都是一样，但将来各人要照自己的工夫得自己的赏赐
在审判的日子, 每人的工都将显明。能够通过火的试炼的工必是由金, 银和其他宝石做成的。 这样的工来自于清洁的心, 正确的动机和对主的爱, 届时这样的工将蒙主祝福。 这意味着即便今天我没有得到薪资, 认可或甚至感谢, 我将继续服事, 因为我知道我将从主那里得到赏赐。
让我们每个人服事的时候都有同一个盼望, 盼望我们与主面对面的那一天, 我们将听见主人说:『好，你这又良善又忠心的仆人，你在不多的事上有忠心，我要把许多事派你管理；可以进来享受你主人的快乐。』(马太福音25:21)
讲章系列：忠心的管家