Opportunity

Daily Reading:  Luke 19

Scripture Focus: I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. (Luke 19.26)

Devotional Thought: In the parable of the minas (a value of money worth about three months' wages), Jesus taught that we are accountable for what we do with the gifts God has given us.  I think it’s easy to understand the parallels with the servants who invested their money wisely; we should also invest our time and resources wisely in God’s kingdom. When we do, we will be rewarded for being “good and faithful servants”. 

But, what about the servant who did nothing to increase his master’s resources?  At least he didn’t lose the money in risky investments, but the master didn’t see it that way; he saw only lost opportunity and wasted potential.  I wonder if our heavenly Father feels the same disappointment when we do nothing with the gifts that he has given us? 

The Apostle Peter offers clarity: "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace" (1 Peter 4.10).  In other words, we are accountable not only for the wrongs we commit, but also for the good and right things that we failed to do.  The Apostle James wrote, "whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin" (James 4.17). 

Who among us hasn’t let pass a God-sent opportunity?  We excuse ourselves because we’re too busy, too stressed, too old, too young, or we simply think someone else could do the job better.  But, Jesus would have none of that.  "Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me."  Don't miss opportunities to serve Jesus!

Jenny Wade

Prayer: Thank you, Lord Jesus, for giving me the "mina of opportunity" that is part and parcel of everyday living.  Grant that by your grace I may take advantage of every opportunity.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 143.1-6

1 Hear my prayer, O Lord; give ear to my pleas for mercy! In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness!

2 Enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you.

3 For the enemy has pursued my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground; he has made me sit in darkness like those long dead.

4 Therefore my spirit faints within me; my heart within me is appalled.

5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.

6 I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah