Pastor’s Column 8/24/2025

PASTOR’S COLUMN

29 “To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing ,even what little they have will be taken away.”​​   Matthew 25:29, NLT                            ​                                                

“How Well We Use Our Resources”

The notion that any effort is acceptable does not comport with what Jesus taught. Some people assume  whatever they do, should yield the same results as what others do. This is a fallacy and has misled many well-meaning people. Jesus stresses the point that each person should do their best with what is given to them. In doing so, there are beneficial results. Jesus emphasizes this in several different parables. One stresses how well we receive His teachings, so those principles can be cultivated and germinate into much growth and understanding. Another parable stresses how well we invest the gifts and abilities God gives us. To do the best with what God gives us, always yields results which places us in a betterposition than where we began. Refusal to engage in any effort at cultivating what God bestows, will cause us to inevitably end up with less than what we had when we started. Jesus candidly said: “Whoever has will  be given more, and [they] will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what [one] has will be taken away.” (Matthew 13:12, NKJV). The explicit meaning here is that a person has nottaken any initiative to invest in and cultivate what has been given to them. In the context in which Jesus teaches this principle, He is not putting emphasis on quantity or equality. The emphasis is on the quality of our relationship with God by giving completely ourselves to Him and investing what we are given for His glory and the blessings He promises. These teachings in no way deemphasize the scarcity of the poor or marginalized. Jesus directs us to a Kingdom standard: We completely use what we have, to improve and cultivate our lives. It’s about His best for our best!  Our Savior says, “My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” (John 10:10b, NLT). Do your best!