Head: Know God’s Word | Heart: Love God | Hands: Follow God’s Way

Read Matthew 25

Today, we will spend our time looking at verses 14-30, where Jesus talks about the Parable of the Bags of Gold. Let’s refresh our memory before we get started. Jesus often used parables in the Bible to paint a picture of what he was trying to communicate in order to make it easier to understand.

Head

God gives each of us special gifts. In our passage today, Jesus refers to gifts as talents or money. He tells the story about a master who gave his servants different amounts of money before he went on a trip. When the master returned from his trip, he went to see what his servants had done with the money he gave them. The servants who used their money wisely were praised, but the servant who hid his talent, or money, was not. Ask yourself this question, “What gifts or talents has God given to me? The Bible tells us that God gives everyone a special gift, and He wants us to use that gift to help others and make a difference.

Heart

For a long time, I didn’t feel like God had given me a unique talent or gift. I didn’t feel like I had anything to offer that would make a difference. Have you ever felt like that? Well, the Bible tells us that is not true! We ALL have something that God has given us that is special only to us, and He wants us to use that talent to help others and serve Him. If you struggle to know what He’s given you, just ask Him to begin to show you. He will! And then you can allow Him to use you to serve Him and help others.

Hands

God wants us to be like the wise servants who used their talents well. This week, focus on choosing one gift or talent that you have been given and think of a way to use it to serve the Lord. You may feel nervous at first, but remember God blessed the wise servants who used their talents for good, and He will bless you, too, as you seek to serve Him well.

Prayer: God, thank you for giving each of us a special gift. Continue to show us what that gift looks like in our lives and give us courage to use it to serve you well. May we be like the wise servants in our story today. And may we hear you say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”