Faith & Finance Fridays
Reflect • Commit • Equip • Apply

Matthew 25:14-30
Faith Isn’t Measured in Numbers

Commit: Taking Responsibility for What We’re Given

Last week, we reflectedon how many of us resemble the servant from the Parable of the Talents who received two talents: we have the ability to rise to the occasion, but we often don’t until we’re tested. This week, we’ll look at what it means to commit to using our talents to be better stewards of God’s blessings.

Committing to using our talents for God’s purpose comes down to a question that’s simple to ask, but may be difficult to answer: Are we willing to take responsibility for what we've been entrusted with?

In Matthew 25:14-30, the servants who received five and two talents were. “The one who had received the five talents immediately went and did business with them, and earned five more talents. In the same way the one who had received the two talents earned two more.” – Matthew 25:16-17 However, the servant who received one talent, refused his responsibility. “But he who received the one talent went away and dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money.” – Matthew 25:18.

Why was the five-talent servant entrusted with more? Very likely because his commitment was well-known. He’d done this before and proven his responsibility.

The servant who received only one talent received little because it wasn’t know how responsible he could be. As it turns out, he failed to commit and covered his irresponsibility with excuses. “’Master, I knew you to be a hard man … And I was afraid, so I went away and hid your talent in the ground ...’” - Matthew 25:24-25

Most of us don’t outright refuse the responsibilities we’re given. Like the servant who received two talents, we can and do perform when asked…but there’s often some excuse-making for why we’re not performing at the same level as the five-talent servant:

• The system's rigged.
• I never got the head start others did.
• Nobody taught me how to do this.
• I don’t have enough to make a difference.

All of these can be true and still not change whether we’re burying or responsibly stewarding our talents. To be faithful stewards, me must stop focusing on what we lack and commit to accepting responsibility for what we have.

Reflection Question:

How could we commit to taking greater responsibility for our financial resources?

Next Week:

Next week, we’ll look at how to equip ourselves to fulfill the commitment we’re making today.