Fruitfulness - the reward for diligence

Rev. Tetteh-Annor Larbi | August 28, 2023 | Matthew 25:16-18

KEY VERSE:

Then one who had received the five talents went and traded with them and made another five more. Matthew 25:16

MESSAGE:

The parable of the talents also teaches us lessons on being diligent in our endeavours. Being diligent requires a lot of discipline and determination. One must be intentional about what we focus on in our quest to see results for our diligence.

The servants who received the 5 and 2 talents respectively went on and traded with the talents and got the same number of talents in addition. Trading requires diligence and discipline. You can imagine the merchants and traders who wake up very early in the day, to go out there to find their goods and to meet with the merchants who supply them. Some of these traders who do such businesses, must discipline themselves and wake up consistently at very early hours of the day, and this becomes their permanent habit for most of their lives. There is a saying that “When you see the glory, be sure to ask for the story.” There is no success without diligence and there is also no fruitfulness with diligence.

The same parable of the talents is found in Luke 19:11-27, where the master said Occupy till I come, which is also translated in Greek –“Do business” till I come.

There are many examples one can give, and many stories one could share of business enterprises which started with virtually nothing, but today control millions and are doing well in the business space. We must note that every big business was ones upon a time, a small one. It took diligence and discipline to grow into what people see today and are amazed.

FEET AND HANDS OF THE MESSAGE

The resources and talents God has endowed you with, how are you maximizing their use? Your talents are like seeds which you must plant and nurture to grow. Be diligent and intentional about growing your talent and gifts. They are God's business and therefore your business.

PRAYER

Dear lord, please help me to be diligent and intentional about my gifts and talents, and to glorify you as I wait for your return. For your dear name’s sake. Amen.

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSINGS. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! _______________________________ DAILY word study: TRADED The word "traded" in this Matthew 25:16 is translated from the Greek word "ἐκέρδησεν" (ekerdēsen). This Greek verb comes from the root "κερδαίνω" (kerdainō), which means "to gain" or "to profit." In the context of this verse, it signifies engaging in business or commerce in order to increase what was initially given.

The term "traded" highlights the concept of responsible stewardship and the proactive use of resources. In the context of the parable, it signifies more than just the act of doing business; it symbolizes using one's abilities, resources, and opportunities to generate value and increase the impact for the master.

This parable challenges us to consider how we are "trading" with the talents God has given us. Are we passively holding onto our gifts, or are we actively using them to bring about growth and blessings? It's a call to be intentional and purposeful in using what God has entrusted to us.

Reflections

How are you actively "trading" with the talents, abilities, and opportunities that God has given you? How can you ensure that you are using them effectively to bring about growth, impact, and blessings for God's kingdom?