Trustworthy Service

We Worship God
A Guide for Worship Leaders:
Prepare for Leadership


Luke 19:12-23 (The Message)
 ^12-13"There was once a man descended from a royal house who needed to make a long trip back to headquarters to get authorization for his rule and then return. But first he called ten servants together, gave them each a sum of money, and instructed them, 'Operate with this until I return.'
 ¹⁴"But the citizens there hated him. So they sent a commission with a signed petition to oppose his rule: 'We don't want this man to rule us.'
 ¹⁵"When he came back bringing the authorization of his rule, he called those ten servants to whom he had given the money to find out how they had done.
 ¹⁶"The first said, 'Master, I doubled your money.'
 ¹⁷"He said, 'Good servant! Great work! Because you've been trustworthy in this small job, I'm making you governor of ten towns.'
 ¹⁸"The second said, 'Master, I made a fifty percent profit on your money.'
 ¹⁹"He said, 'I'm putting you in charge of five towns.'
 ^20-21"The next servant said, 'Master, here's your money safe and sound. I kept it hidden in the cellar. To tell you the truth, I was a little afraid. I know you have high standards and hate sloppiness, and don't suffer fools gladly.'
 ^22-23"He said, 'You're right that I don't suffer fools gladly—and you've acted the fool! Why didn't you at least invest the money in securities so I would have gotten a little interest on it?'

For Reflection 

Nothing was lost in the transaction with the last servant, but then. nothing was gained.  It turns out that the last servant not only lost the trust of his master, but he also lost his money as it was distributed to the first servant.  What have you done lately to multiply the value of the gifts God has given you?  How much risk in His name have you taken?

Pray

prayers of thanksgiving for the gifts God has given you.  Pray that you use those gifts wisely to the glory of God in the advance of His kingdom.