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S (SCRIPTURE): Matthew 25:14-30
O (OBSERVATION): Being a steward, means taking care of things that belong to other people. Jesus relates the kingdom of God to a master who went on a long journey, entrusting to them his affairs. Jesus is helping draw out the waiting that will occur for the kingdom to come into completion, when he returns.
A (APPLICATION): In my household, there is a great dislike of wasting things (food, time, energy,....sleep). It is our attempt to take care of these things that have been given to us. These things, after all, are not ours to begin with. The dichotomy between the joy the master bestows upon the servants who do 'something' with the talents he provides them and the punishment given upon the one servant who buried the talent makes for an interesting application to the gifts Jesus bestows upon us. Jesus is talking about the use of the gifts in bringing about God's kingdom before it comes to completion in his return. In other words, Jesus dislikes wasting things too. Including having us waste the life, the time, the energy, the passion, the gifts, the talents, the treasures, the food and the sleep that is given to us.
Connecting with the ten maidens before this reading, our willingness to offer ourselves, our time and our possessions for the use in God's kingdom is what is desired. So that we may receive God's blessing in offering them: 'well done, good and faithful servant.' There is no sitting in on the sidelines. God wants to us to participate fully in the life and kingdom God is bringing.
P (PRAYER): Lord, let me not waste my gifts. Rather, equip and encourage me to use them for your kingdom