The Three Rs of Pressing On: Relationship
Daily Bible Studies for the Week of February 9, 2009
This Week’s Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30 NLT
14“Again, 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. 15He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip.
16“The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more. 17The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more. 18But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money.
19“After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money. 20The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of silver came forward with five more and said, ‘Master, you gave me five bags of silver to invest, and I have earned five more.’
21“The master was full of praise. ‘Well 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’s celebrate together!’
22“The servant who had received the two bags of silver came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two bags of silver to invest, and I have earned two more.’
23“The master said, ‘Well 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’s celebrate together!’
24“Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate. 25I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.’
26“But the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn’t plant and gathered crops I didn’t cultivate, 27why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’
28“Then he ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver. 29To 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. 30Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Monday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, in this week’s parable, I know that You are the Master and I am the servant. I pray that You will give me joy in my serving. Help me to see that because of Your love I can risk investing what you have entrusted to me to advance Your Kingdom. Glorify Yourself in my thoughts, words and actions. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
14“Again, 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. 15He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip.
Why would Jesus say the Kingdom of heaven may be illustrated by this parable?
Who would you be if you were part of this parable? Why?
Today’s Challenge: I will live boldly and humbly in the name of my Master, Jesus, today!
Tuesday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I offer myself to you today as a faithful servant, as a diligent manager of Your resources in my life. Show me how I can do that moment by moment, and make this day count eternally for Your Kingdom. This I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
16“The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more. 17The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more. 18But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money.
What is the difference among the three servants?
How are the first and second servants alike? How are they different?
Today’s Challenge: I will invest my Master’s “resources” in building His kingdom today!
Wednesday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I know that one day I will give an account for the way I lived this life here on earth. I promise to live this day for You, to invest what you’ve entrusted to me in ways that will honor You. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may have the power to fulfill my promise. This I pray in Jesus’ most holy name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
19“After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money. 20The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of silver came forward with five more and said, ‘Master, you gave me five bags of silver to invest, and I have earned five more.’
21“The master was full of praise. ‘Well 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’s celebrate together!’
What is the reward of the servant’s faithfulness?
What does this say about our lives and how we are to live them as Jesus’ servants?
Today’s Challenge: I will live faithfully, so I may celebrate fully when my final day comes!
Thursday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I see from the parable that each servant is “rewarded” according to his own faithfulness, not the faithfulness or lack of faithfulness of others. With that in mind, please let me keep my focus on being faithful to You day by day, so that when I meet You face to face it will be a time of celebration! This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
22“The servant who had received the two bags of silver came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two bags of silver to invest, and I have earned two more.’
23“The master said, ‘Well 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’s celebrate together!’
What is the reward of this servant’s faithfulness?
What difference is there in the reward given that he started out with less than the first servant?
Today’s Challenge: I will live faithfully, so I may celebrate fully when the Master returns!
Friday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, keep me from fear. Keep me from false ideas of who you are, that would keep me from serving You fully and faithfully. Fill me anew with Your Holy Spirit that I may serve You boldly, knowing that You are loving and reward all who endeavor to serve You. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
24“Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate. 25I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.’
26“But the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn’t plant and gathered crops I didn’t cultivate, 27why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’
Why did the third servant see the Master differently than the first two servants?
What was the result of that mistaken understanding of the Master?
Today’s Challenge: I will see the Master and His love clearly, so I may serve Him fully!
Saturday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I pray that You will keep me faithful today and always, and also that You will empower me to help my fellow servants to be faithful, so that none will experience the outer darkness of Jesus’ parable. This I pray in His name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
28“Then he ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver. 29To 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. 30Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Why did the Master give the third servant’s money to the first servant?
What is the ultimate connection between this parable and the Kingdom of God?
Today’s Challenge: I will live with faithfulness, and help others do the same!