Thursday February 22, 2024

Today is Thursday, February 22 and we are learning what the Bible says about leaving a legacy.

In the morning I turn to God and ask him to fulfill his plans and purposes for my upcoming day. I relinquish my cares, concerns and requests into his mighty hands and trust him with every detail of my comings and goings.

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord, I worship you in the stillness of the dawning day and seek your abiding presence. With each breath I inhale your loving kindness and exhale my worries and fears. Open the ears of my heart to receive the specific message you have for me. Amen.

I praise God for my many blessings and rejoice in his faithfulness with the ancient words of Psalm 30.

Sing the praises of the LORD, you his faithful people; praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. Psalm 30:4-5

Pause and Pray

The Bible invites the faithful believer to leave a legacy for future generations. We leave a legacy by investing our time, talents and treasure into the lives of others. God gives us talents for the purpose of serving others and blessing the world. Our gifts are given to be utilized and not buried. They are to be invested and not ignored. When we employ our talents in the things of God, they increase and multiply. Talents are not given to improve our lives, they are given to improve the world and the lives of others.

The one with the two talents also came forward, saying, “Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things; I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, “Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you did not scatter, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.” But his master replied, “You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents.” Matthew 25:22-28 (NRSV)

Many of us discover an aptitude for certain things at a young age. Some people are good at numbers, others are writers. Some are gifted in art and music; others are organized and efficient. Some excel at public speaking and others at athletics. Some have the gift of leadership, others are teachers. Some have the aptitude to be medical professionals, others are gifted at fixing things, growing plants, cooking food, raising children or caring for animals. When we discover “what we are good at,” the world encourages us to put it to use for what? To make money. The Bible tells us God’s purposes are quite different. I have been given certain talents and they are to be used to serve others.

Ask: How have I used my talents for my own benefit, self interest and profit? How have I used my talents to love, bless and serve others?

Pause and Pray

Lord God, I have been greatly blessed and you have endowed me with special talents that are to be utilized for the good of the world. I have an obligation and a responsibility to invest my talents in your kingdom. Prevent me from misusing your good gifts and show me ways I can invest them for good. I read the words from Matthew again and listen for the message you have for me.

The one with the two talents also came forward, saying, “Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things; I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, “Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you did not scatter, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.” But his master replied, “You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents.” Matthew 25:22-28 (NRSV)

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

Whatever my talents, I am to use them and invest them in the kingdom of God. I have been given gifts not for my own benefit, increase or profit, but to serve others. I should not be afraid to use my talents. Being a disciple of Jesus Christ is a high-risk adventure. The Christian life invites me to be brave, bold, give generously and love passionately. Wasting my skills and abilities (burying them in the ground unused) is a horrible misuse of God’s precious gifts. My talents are needed. They are essential. I am to combine them with the talents of others and work together with them in community. If just one person is not willing to employ their talents in God’s kingdom work, there is a possibility that kingdom efforts will fail.

Pause and Pray

Holy and loving God, clearly reveal my talents and show me how you want them to be utilized. Give me opportunities to invest in your kingdom and influence the lives of others. I want to leave a legacy of love and service that lives on after I am gone. Show me what that means each and every day. Amen.

His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” Matthew 25:23

As I leave this time of prayer, I go to invest my time and talents in the good work of the kingdom of God.

Amen