Stress Test Devotional May 4
May 04, 2024
MATTHEW 25:20-21, 25-26, 30 | 20 Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more
talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.’ 21 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.’
25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ 26 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?
30 As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer
darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Working as God’s money manager takes courage because God’s strategy for resource allocation is focused on multiplication, not preservation. When you work with a financial investment manager, she or he will always start with trying to establish your goals. You will be asked what income you want to have in retirement? When would you like to stop working? How much do you want to pass on to others? How much risk do you want to take on or avoid?
Notice that God is comfortable with a lot of risk! He judges His servants, and rewards them, for doubling their stake. No one doubles their stake, over the short term, without considerable risk. The servant that preserves the master’s resources, you will notice, is publically shamed as “wicked and useless” and consigned to the outer darkness.
Why does God encourage multiplication over preservation?
How does this attitude make you feel?
