The Living Word: A Daily Devotional with Jeff & Dale from The Jenkins Institute
The Living Word is a daily devotional featuring Scripture and encouragement from Jeff and Dale of The Jenkins Institute. Each episode offers a thoughtful reading to coincide with the daily devotional guides from our annual devotional books. They are designed to help listeners begin or end their day grounded in God’s Word.
The Living Word: A Daily Devotional with Jeff & Dale from The Jenkins Institute
Week 18: Monday, So Grateful Everyone Received Something
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Today, we are reminded of the words of Jesus in Matthew 25. He reminds us
that God distributes gifts with expectations along with them. The parable
of the talents in Matthew 25 and the parable of the ten minas in Luke
19:11-27 supplement one another and emphasize that our Master has
expectations. Every servant received sums entrusted to them, and the
Master (or Nobleman) communicated expectations alongside those talents.
It's week eighteen, Monday. So grateful everyone received something. Today's scripture is Matthew chapter twenty five and verse fifteen by Logan Cates, and I am Ricky Berger. Today, we are reminded of the words of Jesus in Matthew chapter twenty five. He reminds us that God distributes gifts with expectations along with them. The parable of the talents in Matthew twenty five and the parable of the ten Minas in Luke chapter nineteen verses eleven through twenty seven supplement one another and emphasize that our master has expectations. Every servant received sums entrusted to them, and the master or nobleman communicated expectations alongside those talents. We have work to do today, but work is not a popular word, especially when used incorrectly in contrast with grace. Work or effort is so unpopular that some in the past have tried to omit James chapter two verses eighteen through twenty six from the text for fear of legalism. Of course, salvation is not earned Ephesians chapter two verses eight through ten. It is not merited, but it doesn't mean we coast through life basking in cheap grace. Living faith is active faith, not inactive. Being a follower of Jesus Christ has demands that must not be ignored. Since gratitude is indeed at the heart of Christianity, we do not need anyone to motivate us to respond to what we've been given. I am so thankful to receive anything from God, for I deserve to be hanging on a cross. I didn't deserve the gifts given to me, I don't deserve grace, and I certainly don't deserve mercy and forgiveness. Out of love for the Savior, I gladly respond with heartfelt gratitude that I have received anything from him. As you study this parable, keep in mind Jesus was about to depart to be with the Father when he spoke these words. We have been bought with his blood, and we must not live as if we deserved anything from him, for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, John chapter three and verse sixteen. Giving gratitude for that gift should be the air we breathe every single moment of our lives. Today I will.