Have you invested your gifts to serve God?
John Chrysostom, Constantinople, early or middle 11th century. Soapstone and highlights of gold. (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Matthew 25:14–30 “You ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest” ( v. 27 ). Five of the virgins in Matthew 25:1–13 are fools because they believe that the way to eternal life is easier than it really is and do not prepare themselves for the master’s return. Yet as verses 14–30 indicate, the one who thinks the Lord’s way is harsher than it truly is will also be revealed as a fool on the last day. Today’s passage shows what it means to expect the second coming of Christ and ready ourselves for it. Jesus exhorts us to stay awake and be prepared for His return in 24:36–25:13 , but those verses give few specific, practical directives for how to wait and equip ourselves properly. The parable of the talents makes it plain that the waiting and preparation Jesus expects is ethical and ...