bags of gold

“After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money. The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of gold said, ‘Sir, you gave me five bags of gold to invest, and I have doubled the amount. The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’” Matthew 25:19-21

My Abba,

I can embrace your perfect fairness, faithfulness, and graciousness as my master. Your flawless traits give me absolute security. I am not worried about a lack of discernment on your part as you look at how I use what you have given me.

But then there is me. Clearly I have not always been a consistent steward of certain gifts you have chosen to give me. Things that come to mind are: gifts of expression (like teaching or writing), money, possessions, time, and some relationships with friends and family. I don’t always invest your currency well. I am sorry.

As you entrust me with your priceless “bags of gold,” please give me the desire and the power to expend them well. Otherwise, I will shipwreck on the rocks of my best intentions.

I want to be a servant who is led by your priorities and invests extravagantly and wisely for you. Please show me what that looks like. Give me a heart that is exquisitely sensitive to your leading. I know the currency of each day is a gift.

Help me to invest all that you give me today in a way that makes you smile.

I love you,

Mollie

My child,

I am so glad you want to please me. How you invest the gifts I entrust to you is important. All good gifts come from me. Even your time is a gift - with an expiration date. There are so many priorities vying for your attention, you can get lost in the dense thicket of choices.

I want to give you my matchless vision for how all your gifts can be used in greater ways. That will not always look grand to you or others. But trust me, I have a real eye for this kind of thing.

You want me to be “full of praise” when I look at you. You desire my approval for your investments. That is good. Remember, I will always approve of who you are because Christ has reconciled us (made right what was wrong between us). When I look at you, I see his perfect righteousness.

But there is always room for improvement in how you invest. Sometimes fear of failure is your enemy. You would like a scientifically-proven, well-woven safety net, in case you slip, as you walk the tightrope over a particularly deep canyon.

Sometimes fear of discomfort keeps you from investing well. When you invest well, you can find yourself plunging down the more difficult slope. It is worth it. I am worth it. And I am with you, even when you hit that icy, rocky patch moving way too fast.

I want you to be faithful in the small things so I can increase your responsibilities. At day’s end, I want to celebrate with you because you have chosen to invest yourself well.

Anything you do empowered by my Spirit will make me smile.

You don’t have to do it perfectly. I just want to be with you in the thick of it, infusing you with my gifts and power, while cheering you on. Imagine the joy of crossing the finish line as I exclaim, “Well done, my good and faithful servant!”

I love you,

Abba

photo: bjoern wylezich