Home > Reading > NALC Devotions – August 13, 2017

Today’s readings: 1 Samuel 23:7-18; Romans 11:33–12:2; Matthew 25:14-30

Believe it or not, the parable of the talents is not about money. As it is in so many churches, we read this parable and immediately think about the talents rather than the servants. Two of the servants entrusted with talents quickly go to work producing more talents, but one does not. One servant is afraid of the master so he buries the talent and sits idle while awaiting the master’s return. Upon the master’s return, two are rewarded and enter the master’s joy while the other is sent away.

Jesus teaches us that as we await his coming again, we are to continue to carry on the mission he handed to the apostles so long ago. We do not know when he will return, but we do know that he has entrusted much into the hands of his people. The mission is not to grow the wealth of the church; it is to continue the mission God has entrusted to us.

Have you ever wondered why churches with the least amount of money seem to do the most in the way of mission and ministry? It is because when they read this parable, they do not focus on the money, but on the servants.

Prayer: Lord, help us joyfully use our talents to carry out your mission for the sake of your gospel. Amen.

Today’s devotion was written by David Nuottila, Pastor of Union Lutheran Church, Salisbury, NC.

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  • I always understood this parable to have a straight forward message. The Master ( Jesus ) wants His servants ( any that follow Jesus ) to take the Talent ( The good news about Jesus ) and invest the Talent ( Giving the Good news to others who don’t know about Jesus ). The Servants ( those that spread the Good news ) that did as the Master ( Jesus ) commanded them to do brought many more Talents ( new Believers in Jesus ) allowing Profit for the Masters House ( the Kingdom of God ). The Master ( Jesus ) rewarded those servants according to their works. The wicked servant ( the one that hid the Good news to himself ) was cast out because he hid away the Spirit and chose not to share it with others. It is a beautiful story and the best part is, it has nothing to do with money, but simply passing on the Truth about Jesus and how important it is to pass on the Good news to others and by doing so could add to your reward when the time for judgement comes for all…