ESOCS Devotional 17 March 2024 – The Day of Reckoning
MEMORY VERSE: “After a long time, the Lord of those servants cometh and reckoneth with them.” Matthew 25:19
TEXT:MATTHEW 25:14-30
For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.
19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
The certainty of the Lord’s Second Coming greets us again in this parable. Call it the Day of Judgment, the Day of Accounting, the Day of Reckoning, it is all the same. That Great Day is coming when all men shall stand before the throne of God to give account of themselves, their works and particularly as here, account of the talents given to us by the Lord who took a long journey into Heaven over two thousand years ago.
In His wisdom, the Lord gave various talents, name it: spiritual gifts, positions of authority, abilities and opportunities to do good. He expects us first, to employ those talents for our salvation, for the good of others and ultimately for the salvation of others. The rule “practice makes perfect” is also applicable to spiritual gifts and powers. A spiritual gift or power not exercised is as a talent buried, which will do neither you, nor others, nor the master’s Kingdom any good. By so doing you actually make yourself a minus to the Kingdom. As touching spiritual gifts, we learn that “the manifestations of the spirit is given to every man to profit withal” (1 Corinthians 12:7 KJV). The NIV renders it: “…for the common good.”
When you refuse to use it, you not only deny yourself spiritual growth but you also deny others the benefit of it. As touching ministry gifts, also learn that they are given “for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:12). If the Lord has made you an evangelist, run full hog with it, for there lies your salvation and your glorying. Do not wait till you become an apostle because the Lord will reward those who are faithful in small things.
Reinhard Bonnke was an evangelist but he did more exploits and had more glories than most Primates, Archbishops, Apostle Generals, etc. Paul was an apostle to the gentiles (that is to the uncircumcised) but because he worked hard and magnified his office, he achieved much more success than those who were apostles to the Jews. The office does not make the occupant glorious; rather, it is the occupant that makes an office both glorious and desirable. For those the Lord has endowed with opportunities to help others, you don’t have to have millions in your bank account nor hold the highest office before you can help. Help at your level and God will accept it and promote you.
Let this register indelibly in our hearts: “… every one of us shall give account of himself unto God” (Rom. 14:12). If you use your talents well, the Lord will greet, commend, bless, promote and admit you into heaven’s joy (v 21). If you neglect or refuse to use your talents, behold judgment and condemnation stand at the door. The punishment prescribed for the wicked and unprofitable servant awaits you; but worse of all, you have signed for hell as your eternal destination (vs. 26-30).
- Have you left your talent dormant? Get up and run with it.
- Father, forgive my weakness and stubbornness, strengthen me with zeal to work with my talents, in Jesus name.
Further Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 22:12
ESOCS Devotional 17 March 2024
