Matthew 25:20-30
““So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘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.’ He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”
INSIGHT
-God is faithful and calls us to be faithful to Him. He has commanded us to be fruitful, multiple, subdue and fill the earth. Each one of us has a mandate to accomplish on earth. Some of our callings are active and we are currently working on them. Often times, we find that our talents are progressive. Some of our abilities are dormant and will only be activated if we are faithful in what we are currently doing. From the parable we see that; he who has more will be given and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. The two stewards were hardworking, diligent and faithful in their work and they brought forth a hundred percent profit. One was lazy and lacking in wisdom. Probably that was the reason why he was given one talent. According to Proverbs 10:4, “He who has a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.” He was a poor manager of resources and unwise, and whatever he had was taken away from him. He lost it all here on earth and did not make it to heaven. In all our work and conduct, we are called to work as if we are working for the Lord. Colossians 3:23-25 demystifies these truths stating that; “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.” Like the faithful servants who were entrusted with five and two talents, we should ensure that we exercise our talents, resources, gift to the best of our abilities and be fruitful in everything. In our work, conduct, speech and everything else, we should always follow the will of God, and we shall be rewarded for our faithfulness as we enter into the joy of the Lord.
PRAYER
Abba Father You are good and Your mercies endures forever. This is the day that You have made, we rejoice and are glad in it. Thank You for Your faithfulness and love towards us, our families and nation. Help us to be faithful and diligent in all that You have entrusted unto us. Forgive us for all the times we have murmured, complained and failed in our duties. Grant us the wisdom and grace to always work hard as if we are working for You dear Master. Grant our political and church leaders the wisdom to work as if they are working for You Lord. Grant all the employers and employees wisdom to work as if they are working for You our Lord and Savior. Grant all those who are depressed and oppressed the grace to begin a new season of fruitfulness in You Jesus. Grant our children the grace and wisdom to only do what is pleasing to You. Grant all those who do not acknowledge You Jesus as Lord and Savior the grace of faith and obedience to Your word. Only You are Faithful heavenly Master, help us to be faithful in little things and in much. Grant us Holy Spirit the grace and favor to do all that has been documented in our books in heaven. As we begin a new week, help us to bear much fruit for You are the Vine and we are Your branches. May our faith in You and work come as a memorial to You and open many doors and opportunities for us. Empower us Holy Spirit to be faithful to You and always dwell in the joy of Your salvation. Bless us indeed Lord and enlarge our territories, that Your hand will always be with us and that You will keep us from all evil that may cause us pain. Amen
1 Samuel 17:28
“Now Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab’s anger was aroused against David, and he said, “Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the insolence of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle.””
INSIGHT
–David, the last born in his family among eight sons was left in charge of his father’s flock. The flock was rather small but David was committed to tend it even when he was confronted by danger from the bear and lion, he did not run for his life but remained faithful. When his father sent him to Eliab and his other brothers at the battle field, he rose up early and left the sheep with a keeper (1 Samuel 17:20). David was faithful in little things and he was entrusted with much. What if David not not wake up early but went later in the day. What if David did not hearken to the voice of his father and asked him to send the other brothers since only three were at battle. What if David was discouraged by the words of his brother Eliab when he got to the battle field. He would not have had the courage to face the Philistine giant and other armies later during his reign. What if David abandoned the little sheep and focused on the great opportunities that were ahead of him, having been anointed king. David appreciated his small beginnings and he was put in charge of much. “Now therefore, thus shall you say to My servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “I took you from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people, over Israel” (2 Samuel 7:8). Sometimes we are entrusted with little things but because of the big visions that we cloud our commitment, we despise these things. If we despise little things, who is going to trust us with much? Like David, God tests us with little things and if we abandon them, even what we have is taken away. We then loose great opportunities that come with a better future. David was devoted to his mission and assignments. Despite the danger that confronted his life, he was ready to fight. When all the Israelite armies were afraid of Goliath, David did not consider the size of the Philistine giant nor the sophistication of his weapons but stepped into the battle field in the name of the Lord. When David passed the test of little things, he was entrusted with much. He became the king of a great people and fought diligently to the end. Apostle Paul also went through diverse challenges including being tortured and imprissoned for the gospel, but he fought the good fight, kept the faith and won the race. Like David and Paul, God calls us to be committed in small things even if they might seem to small for now, but if we excel in them, He is going to put us in charge of great things.
PRAYER
Almighty and Everlasting Father, thank You for You have been faithful to us even when we have become unfaithful. Thank You for the far that You have brought us. Thank You for the far that You are taking us. Thank You for the little that You have placed into our hands. We are sorry for the many times we have failed in the test of faithfulness. Forgive us dear Jesus and grant us the wisdom and grace to conquer all. In all our work, ministries, marriages, leadership, families, Christianity and assignments, may You go ahead of us merciful Lord and make all the crooked paths straight. You are the good Shepherd and we are the sheep of Your pasture, we seek Your help always so that we may serve You as You please. May You always lead us in our mission and vision, that we may always be faithful to You dear Master. Thank You for the plans You have for us, plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us hope and a future. Like king David, we commit our future unto Your able hands, guide us and lead us in our purposes for the glory of Your name. We commit the future of our children unto Your able hands, lead them and take charge of their lives. We commit the future of our businesses and work unto the able hands Master, grant us favor before You and before men and women. We commit our marriages unto Your able hands Jesus, smear Your precious blood on their foundation. We commit our church unto Your able hands Abba Father, may it always stand on the Rock You are, and cause many to know You and come to You. We commit the future of our nation unto Your able hands Lord, guide us all in the way of truth and take over every area. Give us the grace Lord to fight the giants in our lives and society, for we are more that conquerers in You Jesus. Help us to be faithful in little things Holy Spirit and to be dependable in much. Help us to fight the good fight, to keep the faith and finish the race, for the glory of You name. All glory, honor, power, praise and wisdom belong to You Jesus, now and forever. Amen
Hebrews 3:1-6
“Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house. For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the house. For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God. And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward, but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.”
INSIGHT
-Moses was faithful to God having been trusted with the law that governed their way of life. He was obedient with his entire household and was able to direct the people in the ways of the Lord. Jesus was also obedient to the Father unto death on the cross and calls us to be obedient to His word. If today we listen to God’s voice let us not harden our hearts but do His will. Both the Jews who relied on the law and the Gentiles who knew not the law have been brought close to God the Father through the blood of Jesus Christ our Mediator. There is no other foundation that anyone can build other than Jesus Christ our love. If anyone build’s any other foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be revealed by fire on the Day of the Lord. If his work endures, he will receive a reward but if it is destroyed, then he will be condemned. Further, if anyone defiles God’s temple, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, which temple we are (1 Corinthians 3:11-17). We are called to enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. But narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it (Matthew 7:13-14). Like Moses the meekest man, let us humble ourselves before the Lord and walk in obedience to His will and faith in Him, for God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble. Jesus Christ is the only Door to the Father and we are called to remain faithful to Him and hold fast our confidence in Him and we will rejoice with Him forever. By laying a firm foundation through faith in Him, we rely of His eternal faithfulness that yields eternal life.
PRAYER
Lord You are faithful and Your faithfulness endures forever. Righteous are You O LORD and upright are Your judgments. Your testimonies which You have commanded are righteous and very faithful, great are You O LORD in all the earth. God You are good and Your righteousness endures forever, we lay our lives before You cover us with Your precious blood. The wisdom of this world is foolishness to You Holy Spirit, lead us in the way we should go. We humbly come to Your throne of grace that we may find mercy and grace to help us in times of need. Forgive us for the many times we have grieved You Holy Spirit, teach us Your ways of faithfulness. We submit our thoughts, ideas, desires, emotions, weaknesses and entire selves to You Jesus, deliver us from all unrighteousness and lead us in Your way of truth. Help us to be faithful to You, obey Your word and to always do Your divine will. Give us and all Your people hearts of flesh that we may always hearken to Your voice. Speak in us and through us and help us to humble ourselves before You at all times. Jesus Christ You are the Door of salvation, thank You for the gift of salvation to us and all our generations. You are the way the truth and the life, help us, our children, families, friends, colleagues, leaders and entire world to always walk in the light of Your salvation. Jesus You are our Great High Priest and Sure Foundation, have mercy on us and give us more grace to hold fast our faith and hope of salvation in You. Amen
Luke 16:10-13
“He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own? “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.””
INSIGHT
-Jesus spoke a parable about faithfulness with money. The Pharisees loved money at some point they handled temple business and Jesus dismissed them saying, “My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves” (Matthew 21:13). Jesus told this parable about a servant who dealt shrewdly when confronted by loss of his job. He went to his masters creditors and reduced their debt obligations. His master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly saying “For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings” (Luke 16:8-9). We note that faithfulness in money is a key to enter God’s eternal kingdom. God requires us to be faithful in little things, the unrighteous mammon, other peoples property and be diligent stewards. Abraham was faithful with money and when he rescued Lot, he gave a tenth of all he had to Melchizedek the king of Salem and priest of the Most High God (Genesis 14:18-20). When he was tempted to acquire wealth from the king of Sodom, Abraham refused sighting reasons that he might say that he made him rich. Through this he acknowledged that all wealth belongs to God and we know that God blessed him exceedingly. When the Pharisees asked who Jesus did not pay tax, he said to them, “give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s” (Mark 12:17). In an art shell Jesus taught that everything belongs to God and we should honor God with our wealth for He is the giver of all things. Faithfulness with money is key in our Christian lives and we should honor God with our wealth by being dependable of other peoples wealth, give tithes and offering, paying taxes, do works of helps and acknowledge that all wealth belongs to God.
PRAYER
Lord You are the King of kings and Lord of lords, all glory and honor belongs to You. You are the Creator of the world and all things that are in it, we praise You and glorify Your holy name. Wealth and riches are in Your house Lord, Your righteousness endures forever. You make poor and rich Almighty Father, You bring low and You exalt, all glory and strength belongs to You. Thank You for blessing us and sustaining us even during this period of COVID-19. We humbly implore You to give us the power Lord to make wealth, that You may confirm Your covenant which You swore to our father Abraham. Open up our economy Jesus so that we may prosper, continue to prosper and be more prosperous like Your servant Isaac. Help us to be faithful with that which You have given us, Your faithfulness endures forever. Help us to be faithful stewards and to always do Your will. Give our leaders wisdom to be faithful in what You have given to Your people and deliver us from corruption, Your love endures forever. Help us to always be grateful and content with what we have given us, all wealth and riches belongs to You Lord. All glory, honor, power, riches and wealth belongs to You Lord, now and forever. Amen
2 Timothy 2:8-13
“Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.”
INSIGHT
-Apostle Paul exhorts Timothy to remain faithful to God despite the tribulations that come with preaching the gospel. Paul was a determined minister having been told of the chains and tribulation that awaited him by the Holy Spirit. He did not loose heart or count his life as dear to him, but was determined to finish his race with joy (Acts 20:22-24). Even though he was chained for proclaiming the gospel, he rejoiced for the word of God can never be chained. He focused on his ministry with confidence teaching that if we deny Jesus Christ, He will also deny us, but if we proclaim that we died with Him, we shall live with Him, and if we endure in faith, we shall reign forever with Him.
SUMMARY
We find many patriarchs in the bible who were dependable, honest, trustworthy and faithful to God. Abraham was faithful with wealth. He gave a tithe of it all to Melchizedek the king of Salem and priest of the Most High God. He acknowledged that all things come from God and belong to God, and when the king of Sodom offered to give him wealth, he refused. Money is a powerful master and a destructive controller. How we deal with it, depends on what happens to us next. We are called to be faithful stewards to God by serving His people well, giving alms, offering tithes and offerings, paying taxes and acknowledge that all wealth and riches belong to God. Moses the meekest man, was faithful to God through obedience. He was trusted with the law and was committed to follow God’s commandments and, better still taught them. Like Moses we are called to be obedient to God’s word, shun away all evil and walk according to His will. Joseph was obedient in that which was not his property. He diligently watched over Potiphar’s household and when his wife seduced him, Joseph remain faithful to his master. We are reminded to be faithful in other peoples property and our marriages, and God will be exulted through our testimonies. David was faithful in little things and was trusted with much. He was anointed king over the whole of Israel yet he did not boast about it nor abandon his fathers flock. He was brave and courageous, and when he heard the boastful sentiments of Goliath, he chose to go to battle and won; for the glory of God. Like David, let us be faithful in the little that God has given us and He will give us much. Also be faithful to our employers in our work, utilizing our time and resources well. In our businesses, working hard with diligence and honesty and the Lord will reward us. In our marriages holding fast love and respect, letting God become its foundation and following His word. Apostle Paul was faithful to God in his mission and did not consider himself as anything compared to the gospel, but underwent torture and imprisonment for Christ’s sake. Despite his tribulations, he did not abandon the faith, but remained faithful by running his race to the end. As Christians, we are called to lay up a firm foundation of faith on Jesus Christ, which cannot be shaken or moved by any giant or storm. We are also reminded to be faithful in our talents, callings, ministry, missions and our Christian lives, holding fast faith and running the race to the end. Jesus was obedient to the Father unto the cross. He was crucified, died, buried and resurrected from the dead for our sake. From Him do we learn true faithfulness. He calls us to be faithful to Him and His name will be lifted through us and in us, and many will come to Him and through Him who is the Door to eternal life.
PRAYER
Almighty Father and Savior, we come before You with repentant hearts asking You for mercy and grace. We have been crucified with You Christ, it is no longer us who live You who lives in us. Thank You for reminded us Jesus that we died with You, and if we died with You, we shall live with You. And if we endure, we shall reign with You. Grant us firm faith and the grace Holy Spirit to endure to the end. Many are the times we have been faithless, forgive us and give the heart to be faithful to the end like Your faithful servants. Thank You Father for You have always been faithful to us even when we have become faithless, You cannot deny Yourself dear Master. If it were not for You Holy Spirit where would we be? You reign in the whole world. Reign in our hearts Holy Spirit we humbly implore You, that we may be faithful in little things and in major assignments. Reign in our families, relationships and marriages, that we may do Your will and our lives may always be pleasing to You. Reign in our churches and ministries that Your name may be praised in all the earth and bring many to salvation. Reign in our nation and deliver us from corruption and poor leadership. We raise Your banner in our nation Jesus Christ cover us with Your precious blood and hedge of fire. Thank You for You have redeemed us out of every tongue, tribe, people and nation. All glory, power, wealth and honor belongs to You. Thank You for the peace pacts that are being signed in the world for the glory of Your name. May Your peace that surpasses all understanding dwell in our hearts and minds through You Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Amen