Notes
God has been echoing the same story throughout history: He desires a relationship with people like us. Christmas celebrates Jesus’ arrival, and it also reminds us that He will return. We live between His ascension and His return, and in this in-between time, God’s message is still the same as it has been since the beginning.
“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip.”
Matthew 25:14-15
Jesus illustrates the Kingdom through a master who entrusted his servants with resources while he was away. The servants represent us, and the parable teaches us how to live faithfully between now and Christ’s return. Each servant received a different amount, but the expectation was the same: do something with what you’ve been given.
So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
John 1:14
We’ve been entrusted with God’s amazing grace which empowers us to be who He created us to be. He gives us grace before He gives us responsibility.
Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!
Psalm 34:8
We’re invited to taste and see the goodness of God. When people truly experience God’s goodness, it anchors them when difficulties come. Every servant in the parable experienced the master’s generosity. The question is: Have we? A genuine encounter with God changes everything.
“The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more. The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more. But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money.”
Matthew 25:16-18
Two servants acted immediately; one buried what he was given. In the same way, many people celebrate the birth of Jesus but never engage with the mission of Jesus.
So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.
James 2:17
Faith without action becomes stagnant and lifeless. Don’t postpone obedience. Use what God entrusted to you now to make a difference in the lives around you. When you place your faith in Jesus’ finished work, you are brought into a relationship with God - but that relationship is meant to produce something.
“After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money… The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’ … “But the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn’t plant and gathered crops I didn’t cultivate, why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’"
“Then he ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver. To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”
Matthew 25:19, 21, 26-30
When the master returned, he settled accounts. The faithful were honored and entrusted with more. The servant who hid what he was given lost even what he had.
For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.
2 Corinthians 5:10
“Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”
For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.
These verses remind us that every believer will stand before Christ to give an account for what we did with our lives - not to determine our salvation, but to receive reward for what we did with the life He gave us. Jesus is returning - and He is bringing reward with Him. Eternity is secure for every believer, but our faithfulness impacts the reward, responsibility, and joy we experience in His Kingdom. Why hide the gifts God entrusted to you? Live today as if Jesus will return tomorrow.
Group Questions
- Where have you most clearly experienced God’s generosity in your life?
- What gifts, abilities, or opportunities has God entrusted to you right now?
- What keeps people from putting their faith into action?
- How does knowing Jesus will bring reward with Him (Revelation 22:12) shape the way you live today?
- What is one step you can take this week to engage more fully in the mission of the King?
Prayer
Thank you for entrusting us with your grace and mission. Help us live faithfully with what you’ve given us. Teach us to live expectantly, ready to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”