We are currently in a series called Grow, learning how to move from a goal mindset to a grow mindset. Last week we talked about duty. As we grow, we move from duty (doing the bare minimum, as little as possible) to generosity. Proverbs 11:25 says, “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” Today, we’ll look at the ABCs of generosity from Matthew 25.
A – Attitude
Matthew 25:14-15 says, “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.” The first thing we see is the Lord is in control. He called an He gave. Jesus is the Master. He gives His possessions to His servants. God owns it all. Everything we possess belongs to God. He owns 100% of the shares of your life. Our lives are a trust account to manage for God. We are to do it with the right attitude. Move from dutybecause we ought to do it, to wanting to do it. It is “Have to” versus “Want to.” Move from an external obligation to an internal motivation. God wants your heart not just your behavior. I am faithful to my wife Tammy not because the Bible says, “Do not commit adultery,” but because I love her. We are here because of God’s generosity. Whatever we have we have because God has been good to us.
B – Big Picture
In verses 19-23, we see the master return. When Jesus returns, He will settle accounts. The one who received five talents and the one who received two both heard, “Well done.” Got will not forget your faithfulness. We are currently living between verses 18 and 19. Jesus has been gone 2000 years, but Jesus is coming back! Are you building your kingdom or the Kingdom of God? How responsible are you with what God has given you? When He comes will you be found faithful or unfaithful? You don’t own anything. Everything we have is temporarily on loan from God. God is keeping record. The big picture is wanting to live in such a way that we hear Him say, “Well done.”
C – Capabilities
Notice verse 15 again. “To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability.” An all-wise God will not put more on you than you are able to bear. God knows who He can trust. God will only give you what you are able to handle. No two of us have the exact same amount of time, talents, or treasures. Don’t feel bad when you don’t have what other people have. Don’t feel guilty about what God has blessed you with. You may feel like you don’t have a lot. Maybe the one talent servant thought his one talent was not all that important. When we come together and combine our resources, we can make a difference for all eternity. Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
S – Stewardship
In verses 24-30 we read about the one talent servant. He did not hear, “Well done.” What went wrong? He ceased to live as if the Lord would return. He did evil by doing nothing! The bank owns your home. The bank gives you freedom to mess up. Adam and Eve had the freedom to mess up. You have the freedom to mess up! There are good managers and bad managers. What you have is not yours. It is yours to manage. Don’t be a bad manager and hold on or keep what God gives you. God has given us time, talent, and treasures to steward. God gives seed to the sower, not to the keeper.
The only reason we can be forgiven and go to heaven is the generosity of God. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Are you becoming more like Christ growing in your generosity?
Works Consulted
5 week Leadership Challenge, Patrick Leddin
Be Loyal, Warrant W. Wiersbe
Tony Evans Bible Commentary
Generosity, Chris Hodges
Are You Faithful?, H.B. Charles
The Hero Code, William McRaven pg63