February 7th Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

FAITHFUL STEWARDSHIP OF GOD’S BLESSINGS  

Matthew 25:14-18 (Read verses 14 – 30) “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money.” 

Today much is said, especially on social media, about inequality of the distribution of wealth. Even the Pope issued a critical statement against Tesla’s board of directors apparently deciding to pay Musk a Trillion dollars. The poor are critical of what they call the inequality of wealth. Public voices are calling for a redistribution of wealth so all people have the same amount of money. 

Note in Jesus’ teaching in today’s devotional verses He acknowledges that the master determined the amount of gold to give to each of the three stewards. His direction to them was quite simple. “He gave one five bags of gold, another two and a third one.” His only instruction was that He would return at a later time. 

Upon his return, Jesus said, the master required an accounting by the three servants. The first two returned to him what he gave them and then an equal amount beyond. The third, on the other hand, buried the bag of gold he was given. The master judged the third servant unfaithful, removed the one bag of gold, and gave it to the one who already had the most and then condemned the servant who had originally been given one bag as a “worthless servant.”      Jesus’ point is once again faithfulness. Faithfulness is what will be the standard for His judgement come the last day. Not the amount was praised, but the faithfulness of the servants. Not the return of the one bag was praised, but the unfaithfulness and lack of trust on the part of the third servant was condemned.   

Prayer: Lord, send Your Spirit to lead me to walk by faith through this life trusting in You for all my needs, especially the need for forgiveness of my sins through Your Son Jesus. Amen. 

I leave all things to God’s direction;
He loves me both in joy and woe.  
His will is good, sure His affection;
His tender love is true, I know.  
My fortress and my rock is He:
 What pleases God, that pleases me. 

God knows what must be done to save me;   
His love for me will never cease.
Upon His hands He did engrave me  
With purest gold of loving grace.
 His will supreme must ever be:  
What pleases God, that pleases me. 

My God desires the soul’s salvation;
My soul He too, desires to save.  
Therefore with Christian resignation
All earthly troubles I will brave.  
His will be done eternally:
 What pleases God, that pleases me. 

My God has all things in His keeping;
He is the ever faithful friend.  
He gives me laughter after weeping,   
And all His ways in blessings end.
His love endures eternally:  
What pleases God:, that pleases me.  

I Leave All Things to God's Direction // LSB 719