JULY 10 | MATTHEW 25:14-30

Judy Webb
Jul 10
3 min read

DAILY READING

Matthew 25:14-30

REFLECTION

Our Bags of Gold

by Judy Webb

“For whoever has, will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.” Matthew 25:29 (NIV)

It has taken me awhile to excavate meaning in the verses for today. The title for this passage is: The Parable of the Bags of Gold. My first look at these verses brought a groan. Familiar as they are, I just never understood their meaning. I couldn’t find any correlation to life in this world. But, if I’ve learned anything in all the years I have been writing devotions, it is that when I don’t feel inspired I need to dig deeper. I need to mine the gold just waiting below the surface to be unearthed.

I began the task of chipping away my preconceived notions about the passage and worked to uncover the gems waiting to be revealed. God had something for me (and I hope for you too).

Christians are given special gifts – Gifts of the Spirit – that we are to use in life. These are our bags of gold. These gifts also are often our passions, those things that deeply move us or motivate us into action. Gifts like teaching, helping, leading, preaching, and more. When these gifts are also our passion it is possible we turn these blessings into our occupation. There is a saying, “When you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.”

But following our passion can be a scary thing. Some think that if our gifts don’t provide us with a decent living, they are of no value, and we shouldn’t waste time or education dollars to pursue them. I challenge those folks to examine their own lives. Have they followed society’s view and gotten a degree in something they are not passionate about? Are they happy? Is there fulfillment and satisfaction merely because of the larger paycheck?

For some of us though, our gifts are used in our volunteer life. We share our gifts when we work for others, without the benefit of pay. Fulfillment of this type has no dollar sign attached.

Take time this week to consider your gifts and passions. What is it that makes you happy and gives you a feeling of contentment and satisfaction? If it is your occupation, wonderful, you hit the jackpot! If it is your calling to use your gift as a blessing to others, great! Our work can be fulfilling (whether there is a paycheck that comes with it or not), when we use what God has given us.

…”Do the work your Master has given you to do. Use the Gifts He has given you.

And there you will discover your bags of gold!

PRAYER

Dear Lord,

We don't always recognize our gifts, those spiritual blessings you have provided your people. Open our eyes to them and help us discover ways we can use them for the good of Your Kingdom. Thank you. Amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JUDY WEBB

I have been a member of UALC for 26 years and have been writing devotions for this site for about 17 of them. Writing is my passion. As retired staff I still love everything about UALC and its members including my small group.