Cost of Living - Day 15
Day 15 - Friday, January 26
Read Matthew 25:14-30
Highlight
The parable of the talents comes in a run of several parables all talking about the coming return of the Lord. The Parable of the Talents is specifically a reminder that we must keep diligently working while we look for the Lord’s return.
The parable centers around ‘talents,’ which is not a coin or currency, but a unit of weight. The amount of weight varied by culture. A Greek talent was about 60 pounds while a Roman talent was closer to 70. Regardless, in every nation it was a heavy amount! The large gold menorah in the tabernacle weighed a talent (Exodus 25:39). Thus, even a single talent would be an immense fortune of gold or silver.
It’s important to see what Jesus’ is putting the focus on. The stress is on the vigor with which the two faithful servants undertook the responsibility that had been given to them, rather than on the outcome of their work. They were honored for their faithfulness - not proportionally based on the size of the profit they earned. That is precisely how Scripture describes the judgment seat of Christ in 1 Corinthians 3:8 - “Each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor” rather than according to the results of that labor. We are free to also put the focus on our own faithfulness rather than entirely on the outcome of the work.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
Read Matthew 25:14-30
Highlight
The parable of the talents comes in a run of several parables all talking about the coming return of the Lord. The Parable of the Talents is specifically a reminder that we must keep diligently working while we look for the Lord’s return.
The parable centers around ‘talents,’ which is not a coin or currency, but a unit of weight. The amount of weight varied by culture. A Greek talent was about 60 pounds while a Roman talent was closer to 70. Regardless, in every nation it was a heavy amount! The large gold menorah in the tabernacle weighed a talent (Exodus 25:39). Thus, even a single talent would be an immense fortune of gold or silver.
It’s important to see what Jesus’ is putting the focus on. The stress is on the vigor with which the two faithful servants undertook the responsibility that had been given to them, rather than on the outcome of their work. They were honored for their faithfulness - not proportionally based on the size of the profit they earned. That is precisely how Scripture describes the judgment seat of Christ in 1 Corinthians 3:8 - “Each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor” rather than according to the results of that labor. We are free to also put the focus on our own faithfulness rather than entirely on the outcome of the work.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
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