Multiplication

 “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 25:21

Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King,

The Parable of the Bags of Gold reads differently to me today. Previously I have believed that "faithfulness" meant to be steadfast, dependable, loyal, devoted, and true. But there's a missing descriptor that this passage highlights. Faithfulness means "multiplication."

In your parable, the man going on a journey calls his servants and entrusts his wealth to them. The first servant is given five bags of gold. The second is given two bags. The third is given one bag. The first two put their money to work, investing it, and gaining twice as much. They multiplied what they had been given. The third servant who received one bag dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. He did not multiply what he was given. He only maintained it. The first two servants were rewarded for their multiplication. They were called good and faithful. Because they had multiplied the few things they had been given, their master was now putting them in charge of many things. They were invited to share their master's happiness. He was happy with their results.

The third servant received a different response. He presented a defense for why he only maintained what he was given. He was motivated by fear and misunderstood his master's character. He buried and hid what his master had entrusted to him. He was called wicked and lazy. Lazy means, "shrinking from or hesitating to engage in something worthwhile." Wicked means, "possessing a serious fault and consequently being worthless in regard to our labor." What he had maintained was then given to the servant who had multiplied.

Lord Jesus, may I be one who multiplies what You have entrusted to me. When I want to pursue the safe route and merely maintain what You have given, shrinking back and hesitating to engage, would You remind me that I have not been given a spirit of fear (2 Tim. 1:7) and help me recall Your character. May I be found faithful my multiplying what I have been given.

— In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen!

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