NOW IS THE TIME to live generously for King Jesus’ agenda. Let’s pray and reflect on the New Testament Gospel of Matthew chapter 25, giving special attention to verses 14 – 30.
Jesus is describing ‘what the kingdom of heaven is like’; God’s kingdom is the ‘rule & reign’ of the King of heaven. God’s kingdom is both present and future. Prayerfully process the following questions :
How does this parable of the talents apply to your life?
PRAYER PROMPT: Abba Father, thank You for freely giving to me so many good gifts. As I think of investing the gifts of my financial resources, I am grateful to see the eternal impact as I give to the local church. I praise You that my giving has resulted in _______________________________________ (my spiritual growth, individuals identifying with Jesus in baptism, missionaries being sent, etc). May I value the eternal over the temporary in my generosity, for I humbly pray Jesus’ name, Amen.
Jesus is describing ‘what the kingdom of heaven is like’; God’s kingdom is the ‘rule & reign’ of the King of heaven. God’s kingdom is both present and future. Prayerfully process the following questions :
- Who is the ‘man going on a journey?” V. 14 ___________________________.
- Who are the ones to whom the man gave talents? V. 15 _______________. (talent refers to an amount of gold, silver, or money.)
- What was the outcome of the investment in the talents? Vs.15 – 18 ____________________________________________________.
- Put yourself in the text. What do you think each of the servants felt when they had to “settle their accounts” with their master? V.18 _________________________.
- How did the master reward each of his servants who multiplied the gift of his talents? Vs. 19 – 23 ____________________________________________.
- What was the master’s response to the servant who ‘hid the talent?’ Vs.25 – 30 ___________________________________________________. (not good)
How does this parable of the talents apply to your life?
- God is the master (Adonai), the loving giver of all good gifts (Psalm 24: 1; James 1: 17)
- You are God’s gift manager (Have you ever considered yourself as God’s money manager?)
- What good things have you done with the talents (time, talent, treasures) the Lord has entrusted to you? ______________________________.
PRAYER PROMPT: Abba Father, thank You for freely giving to me so many good gifts. As I think of investing the gifts of my financial resources, I am grateful to see the eternal impact as I give to the local church. I praise You that my giving has resulted in _______________________________________ (my spiritual growth, individuals identifying with Jesus in baptism, missionaries being sent, etc). May I value the eternal over the temporary in my generosity, for I humbly pray Jesus’ name, Amen.