Entrusted

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 TOLD HIS DISCIPLES this parable as he was preparing to leave on a “trip.” Ahead of him, in the next few days, would be crucifixion, followed by resurrection and then ascension. He was teaching his disciples how to live as his servants in his absence, between his resurrection and his return, which is exactly where we find ourselves. Our master, Jesus, has entrusted each of us with resources to invest in the growth of his Kingdom until he returns. We’ve all been given many things to steward: abilities, opportunities, experiences, health, strength, intellect, and advantages. The question is: How are we investing what has been entrusted to us by our Master to earn a return for his Kingdom, not ours?

In our Western world of entitlement and independence, we need —and our children need —the Spirit to work in us so that we begin to see ourselves as stewards rather than as owners of our money, time, abilities, and opportunities. We need the Spirit to redirect our heart’s desire away from using what we’ve been given to build our own earthly kingdoms and toward stewarding what we’ve been entrusted with to expand the Kingdom of God. We need the Spirit to work the truths of this parable into our hearts so that we desire to hear our Master say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

Lord, you have blessed me with so many things, including my children. I want to be a good steward of this family so that we might be a part of expanding your Kingdom. I can see that you have entrusted ________ with experience, abilities, and opportunities as well. Would you help ________ to see that all this does not belong to her but has been entrusted to her so it can be invested for a return for your Kingdom, rather than used to build her own kingdom? Would you implant in ________ a longing to one day hear you say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant”?