Good morning. Today is Sunday, April 19th.

🥳 Congratulations on starting today with God, and thank you for letting us be a part of it.

— James 4:17

In Gospel of Matthew 25:14–30

Jesus tells a story about a master who is about to go on a journey.

Before he leaves, he calls three of his servants and entrusts them with his money. To one, he gives five talents. To another, two talents. And to another, one talent. Each according to their ability.

Then the master leaves.

The servant who received five talents immediately goes and puts the money to work. He trades with it and ends up gaining five more.

The servant with two talents does the same. He puts it to work and gains two more.

But the servant who received one talent does something different. Instead of using it, he goes off, digs a hole in the ground, and hides his master’s money.

After a long time, the master returns and asks the servants to give an account.

The one who had five talents comes forward and says he gained five more. The master responds:

“Well done, good and faithful servant… You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.”

The servant with two talents comes forward and says he gained two more. The master gives him the exact same response:

“Well done, good and faithful servant…

But then the third servant comes forward.

He says he knew the master was a hard man, so he was afraid. Instead of risking anything, he hid the money in the ground. Then he gives it back, saying, “Here is what belongs to you.”

The master responds sharply.

He calls him wicked and lazy. He says that if he was really afraid, he should have at least put the money in the bank to earn some return.

Then the master takes the one talent from him and gives it to the servant who has ten.

And the servant who did nothing is cast out.

The whole point of the story is not that he lost money.

It’s that he did nothing.

He let fear stop him from acting. He chose safety over obedience. And in the end, doing nothing was treated as failure.

So know this: God expects you to use what He’s given you, not just hold onto it. Doing nothing with it isn’t safe, it’s disobedience.

When you’re not sure how to pray, A.C.T.S. gives you a simple path to follow: Adore, Confess, Thank, and Ask.

Adoration: God, You are faithful and good.

Confession: Forgive me for holding back in fear.

Thanksgiving: Thank You for what You’ve given me.

Supplication: Help me use it with courage and faith.In Jesus name, Amen

“My Defender” by Tate Butts

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See you tomorrow,

Zach | Start With God