The One Who Has … and the One Who Doesn’t
May 3rd, 2017
You are the owner of a large business. The nature of your business demands prompt delivery of its goods to local manufacturing companies. This business is so large that it has two warehouses, each having its own manager.
Over the course of time you notice that the manager of warehouse # 1 always ships each order on the day it comes in.
The manager of warehouse # 2, however, is indifferent toward the need for punctuality. More times than not, the goods are shipped two, three, sometimes four days after the orders are received.
One day, you receive an order for goods that, if delivered on time, will result in many large orders from this company. Otherwise, you will lose all their business. To which warehouse manager would you entrust this shipment?
In one of His parables, Jesus tells us which manager He would choose.
THE STEWARDSHIP OF SERVICE
For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. (Matthew 25:29)
What does this verse mean? “Everyone who has” what? And “more” of what “shall be given” him? What does the second one “not have”; and what exactly “shall be taken away” from him?
Matthew 25:29 is a verse imbedded within the “Parable of the Talents” (Matthew 25:14-30). This story describes the stewardship of three slaves who were given certain responsibilities to perform during the absence of their master. The first two slaves were faithful to the responsibility entrusted to them; the third slave proved to be irresponsible. When the master returned, he rewarded the first two slaves, but he reprimanded – and then expelled from his presence – the third slave.
The timing of this parable is quite interesting. The nation of Israel as a whole – and the Jewish religious leaders in particular – had rejected Jesus as their Messiah-King. Knowing that the Day of His Crucifixion was very near, Jesus used the remaining time He had to prepare His followers for His absence. A part of that preparation is found in this “Parable of the Talents.”
In this parable Jesus informed His disciples that there would be an interval of time between His departure (Ascension) and His Return (Second Coming). During this interval His followers would be entrusted with certain responsibilities. Each slave was expected to use his God-given resources to promote his Master’s interests. Upon His Return, they would then be summoned to give an account of their stewardship.
The parable ends with both a promise of blessing and a warning of loss. Once their stewardship has been evaluated, those who were faithful to the Master are given greater responsibilities in His Kingdom. Those who were not faithful to Him suffer great loss. And then, our verse appears:
For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. (Matthew 25:29)
It is the context that fills in all the blanks:
For to everyone who has a living faith that motivates him to faithfully serve his Master, more Kingdom-responsibilities shall be given, and he will have an abundance of authority and honor;
but from the one who does not have a living faith that motivates him to faithfully serve his Master, even what responsibility he does have shall be taken away from him.
You and I have been entrusted with the stewardship of service in the name of Christ. The question we need to ask ourselves is this:
Am I using my God-entrusted resources to serve my Master?
It is a worthy consideration. There is coming a day when every believer will bow before the Lord Jesus Christ. And when we do, we will be called upon to give an account of our stewardship. If we were faithful to that responsibility, we can look forward to seeing the smile on our Master’s face and hear His words of praise:
“Well done, good and faithful servant!”
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To Him Who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, Whom no man has seen or can see … to Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen. (1st Timothy 6:15-16)
