Kingdom Responsibility
Posted by Karah
Pause
Prepare your heart and mind to read God’s Word today. Pray, asking God to give you wisdom to apply the truth you learn today as you study Scripture.
Consider the definition of the word steward. What qualities do you think a good steward possesses? What characterizes someone who’s a bad steward? Journal a few thoughts.
Steward (n.)= Someone who looks after or manages something, like property or money.
Read Matthew 25:14-30 in your Bible.
“Immediately the man who had received five talents went, put them to work, and earned five more. In the same way the man with two earned two more. But the man who had received one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money.” —Matthew 25:15b-18
Ask yourself:
Read verses 15-18,24-27 again. According to these verses, what are some characteristics of a good steward? What qualities characterize a bad steward? Explain.
The slave who hid the talent failed to make any kind of investment with what the master had given him, which displayed a lack of commitment to the master. His desire to be safe overrode his desire to please the master.
Has Jesus ever called you to be obedient in a way that would have cost you something? Why is obedience when things don’t make sense a good gauge of your commitment? Explain.
The master gave each slave something in this parable. They didn’t get the same amount, but no one was left out. The same is true of the kingdom of God. God has placed resources in the lives of every believer—talents, skills, gifts, capabilities—and we must be good stewards of all He has given us.
Respond
Think about the last few days or weeks and the opportunities you experienced to be obedient or faithful to God. What does your obedience (or disobedience) reveal about your commitment to God? Are you truly willing to follow Him wherever He leads, or only when it makes sense?
Ask God to help you to trust Him entirely and follow Him no matter where He leads, even if it doesn’t make sense or scares you.
In your journal, list some gifts, talents, skills, or capabilities that God has given you. How can you be a good steward of those gifts and use them for God’s glory? Jot down three ideas in your journal. Circle one you’ll focus on this week.
Behind the Story
The parable of the talents calls believers to obey Jesus in all things—even when risk or uncertainty is involved. This does not imply that we are to be foolish or take chances, but rather that we are to be obedient. When God calls us to step out in faith, we are to do so, even if the world thinks that choice is unwise, difficult, or senseless. Faithful obedience to the Lord pleases Him and accomplishes His kingdom purposes.
The Point
God has given each of us resources to use to build His kingdom. We must be good stewards of all He has given us.
Posted in Boys, Devotions | Tagged Camp Ridgecrest Alumni and Friends, Camp Ridgecrest for Boys, Reprinted from ec magazine. © 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Used by permission., Weekly Devotions