The Word for Today with Ray: February 2021

Sunday, February 28, 2021

Every One that Has Be Given - Matthew 25:29

Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus told His disciples that two servants were given five and two talents according to their ability by their master, and each of them gave an account to him. Another servant was given one talent, and Jesus continued his story saying, “Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew you that you are an hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not strawed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the earth: lo, there you have that is yours. His lord answered and said unto him, You wicked and slothful servant, you knew that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed. You ought therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received my own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talent”, and in chapter twenty-five and verse twenty-nine of his book, Matthew writes how Jesus said, “for unto every one that has shall be given … but from him that has not shall be taken away” where we read:

For unto every one that has shall be given, and he shall have abundance:

but from him that has not shall be taken away even that which he has.

The verse reads, “For unto every one that has shall be given, and he shall have abundance: ” Matthew began with Jesus' word, “for” which means “because, since and on account that” “unto every one” or “to each, all, the whole and every person” “that has” which means “who holds, owns and possesses” “shall be given” or “will be bestowed, granted, furnished and supplied”, “and he shall have abundance” which means “and the one who has will obtain overflowing, exceeding and above a fixed number of measure”. Matthew shared how Jesus declared that every person who “owns, holds and possesses” will obtain “exceeding more” than he or she already has.

The verse continues, “... but from him that has not shall be taken away even that which he has.” Matthew added Jesus' word, “but” which means “nevertheless, moreover and” “from him that has not” or “away from and separate from the person who does not own, hold or possess” “shall be taken away” which means “will be drawn away, borne apart and carried off” “even that which he has” or “also and indeed that which the person owns, holds or possesses”. Matthew shared how Jesus warned people who do not “own, possess or hold” will lose that anything else they “own, possess and hold”.

When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we see a dire warning from Jesus concerning the “gifts” God has given to people. If a person uses their “strengths and abilities” in a manner that is pleasing to God, He will reward them. However, if they abuse and neglect them because of fear, they shall have even that which they “possess” taken away from them. God has provided “salvation” through His Son Jesus Christ as the greatest “gift” the world shall ever know, and because He offers it to everyone, each person shall give an “account” for what they did with God's Son “Jesus”. In addition, the gifts God bestows are to be used to bless other people, be pleasing to God and to promote His Kingdom. Let all who read these words understand the word of the Lord Jesus and seek to comply with His direction in everything they do.

Next time Matthew writes how Jesus shares how the lord of the servant said, “cast the unprofitable servant into outer darkness”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Take the Talent from Him - Matthew 25:28

Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus told His disciples that two servants who were given five and two talents according to their ability by their master, and each of them gave an account to him. Another servant was given one talent, and Jesus continued the story about him by saying, “Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew you that you are an hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not strawed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the earth: lo, there you have that is yours. His lord answered and said unto him, You wicked and slothful servant, you knew that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed. You ought therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received my own with usury”, and in chapter twenty-five and verse twenty-eight of his book, Matthew writes how Jesus shares how master said, “Take therefore the talent from him” where we read:

Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.

The verse reads, “Take therefore the talent from him, ...” Matthew began with Jesus' words, “take therefore” which means “wherefore, then, on account of this and consequently draw away, move and carry off” “the talent” or “the one sum of money weighing a talent and varying in different states and according to the changes in the laws regulating currency” “from him” which means “away from and separate from the servant”. Matthew shared how Jesus said the master instructed other servants to “take away” the “one talent” given to the servant.

The verse goes on to say, “... and give it unto him which has ten talents.” Matthew added Jesus' words, “and give it” which means “and bestow, grant, deliver and present the talent” “unto him” or “to the servant” “which has ten talents” which means “who originally had five talents but gained five more”. Matthew shared how Jesus said the master instructed his other servants to “bestow” the “one talent” upon his servant who made “ten talents” out of “five”.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we discover an interesting decision by the master in the story. Rather than just taking the “one talent” back from the “sluggish servant” for himself, he instructed his other servants to give it to the servant who gained “ten talents”. At first glance this may seem unfair, but like God, this master blessed his servant who did well with his “talents”. God wants every person to receive His gift of “salvation” through His Son Jesus Christ, and He grants “gifts” to people they are to use for His pleasure and to promote His Kingdom. May all who read these words take heed to the master's decision and work diligently to use the “talents” they have been given.

Next time Matthew writes how Jesus shares how the lord of the servant said, “for unto every one that has shall be given … but from him that has not shall be taken away even that which he has”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

To the Exchangers with Usury - Matthew 25:27

Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus told His disciples about two servants who did well with the five and two talents given to them by their master. Jesus continued his story by saying, “Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew you that you are an hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not strawed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the earth: lo, there you have that is yours. His lord answered and said unto him, You wicked and slothful servant, you knew that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed”, and in chapter twenty-five and verse twenty-seven of his book, Matthew writes how Jesus shares how the master of the servant with one talent said, “you ought therefore to have put my money to the exchangers” where we read:

You ought therefore to have put my money to the exchangers,

and then at my coming I should have received my own with usury.

The verse reads, “You ought therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, ...” Matthew began with Jesus' words, “you ought therefore to have ” which means “the servant then, wherefore, consequently and these things being so should have” “put my money” or “to have poured out and thrown the master's talent” “to the exchangers” which means “to money changers, brokers or bankers”. Matthew shared how Jesus said the master told his servant he should have at least given his “talent” to the “bankers or money changers”.

The verse continues, “... and then at my coming I should have received my own with usury.” Matthew added Jesus' words, “and then at my coming” or “and at the time of the master's appearance, arrival and arising” “I should have received my own” which means “the master should have obtained and recovered his money”, “with usury” or “with interest”. Matthew shared how Jesus said the master surmised that he could have at least recovered his original talent with interest added to it.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see more of the master's response to his servant. Rather than using the “one talent” given to him, this “servant” buried the talent because he was afraid, and his fear was so intense that it kept him from putting the “talent” with the “money changers or bankers” so at least interest would be made. Many people reject God's gift of “salvation” through Jesus Christ because they believe their way is better than His, and others “bury” “gifts and abilities” God has given them. Fear keeps people from employing “God's gifts”, and those “sluggish and irksome” non-believing servants shall give an account for how they have used what God has bestowed. Let all who read these world be warned and encouraged to utilize what God has given to them.

Next time Matthew writes how Jesus shares how the lord of the servant said, “Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which has ten talents”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

You Wicked and Slothful Servant - Matthew 25:26

Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus told His disciples that two servants were given five, two and one talents according to their ability by their master, and each of them gave an account to him. Jesus continued by saying, “Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew you that you are an hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not strawed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the earth: lo, there you have that is yours”, and in chapter twenty-five and verse twenty-six of his book, Matthew writes how Jesus shares how master said, “you wicked and slothful servant” where we read:

His lord answered and said unto him, You wicked and slothful servant,

you knew that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

The verse reads, “His lord answered and said unto him, You wicked and slothful servant, ...” Matthew began with Jesus' words, “His lord” which means “the servant's master or one to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding” “answered” or “began to speak and responded” “and said” which means “and uttered, declared and proclaimed” “unto him” or “to the servant with one talent”, “you wicked” or “you annoying, calamitous and of bad nature” “and slothful servant” which means “and sluggish, backward, indolent, irksome and grievous slave, bondman and man of servile condition”. Matthew shared how Jesus said the “master” of the servant with one talent called him “calamitous, sluggish and irksome”.

The verse goes on to say, “... you knew that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:” Matthew continued with Jesus' words, “you knew” which means “the servant understood, perceived, noticed and discerned” “that I reap” or “that the master harvested and cut down crops with a sickle” “where I sowed not” which means “in places the master did not scatter or plant seed”, “and gathered” or “and assembled and collected” “where I have not strawed” which means “in places the master did not winnow, thresh or dispersed”. Matthew shared how Jesus said the master continued to chastise the servant who was given “one talent” as he acknowledged the “servant's” awareness that he harvested in places that he did not plant, and he collected from places where he did not thresh or winnow.

When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we understand the master's knowledge of this “sluggish and irksome” servant. The “servant” knew his master was a shrewd man who harvested and collected from places he never planted, and yet, this servant buried the “one talent” given to him. God is a loving God who gives “gifts” to men, and the greatest gift of all is “salvation” and “everlasting life” through believing in His Son Jesus. In addition to this wonderful gift, God grants “money, wealth, ability, power and strength” to people in different ways and levels, and those who are wise never hide their “talents” but use them to be pleasing to the Lord and to promote the “Kingdom of God”.

Next time Matthew writes how Jesus shares how the lord of the servant continued, “you ought to have put my money to the exchangers”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Saturday, February 27, 2021

Afraid and Hiding the Talent - Matthew 25:25

Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus told His disciples a man who was going on a journey distributed to his servants various numbers of talents. To one of them he gave five talents, to another two and to another one. Jesus continued, “After a long time the lord of those servants comes, and reckons with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, you delivered unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, you good and faithful servant: you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter into the joy of your lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, you delivered unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter into the joy of your lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew you that you are an hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not strawed”, and in chapter twenty-five and verse twenty-five of his book, Matthew writes how Jesus shares how the servant with one talent said, “I was afraid, and went and hid your talent” where we read:

And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the earth: lo, there you have that is yours.

The verse reads, “And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the earth:” Matthew began with Jesus' words, “and I was afraid” which means “and the servant with one talent was struck with fear, put to flight and seized with alarm”, “and went and hid” or “and left and departed to conceal and keep secret” “your talent” which means “the master's sum of money weighing a talent and varying in different states and according to the changes in the laws regulating currency” “in the earth” or “within the arable land, soil and countryside”. Matthew shared how Jesus said the servant with “one talent” was fearful and rather than use his talent, he buried it.

The verse continues, “lo, there you have that is yours.” Matthew added Jesus' word, “lo” or “look, behold and see” “there you have” which means “there the master holds, possesses, and obtains” “that is yours” or “the talent which is the master's”. Matthew shared how Jesus said the servant with “one talent” returned to his master the “sole” talent that was entrusted to him.

When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we see how this “servant” who was trusted with “one talent” simply returned to his master what was given to him. Rather than use the “talent” to produce more for his master, this “servant” buried the “talent”. God provides “salvation” and “everlasting life” to all who “believe in, trust in, rely upon and cling to” His Son Jesus, and then He gives “gifts” which are to be used and not hidden. This “servant” should inspire all who read these words to never do as this “servant” and “hide” through “fear” what has been freely given to them.

Next time Matthew writes how Jesus shares how the lord of the servant with one talent says, “you wicked and slothful servant”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

A Hard Man - Matthew 25:24

Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus told His disciples about a man who was traveling and entrusted his servants with five, two and one of his talents according to their own abilities. Jesus continued, “After a long time the lord of those servants comes, and reckons with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, you delivered unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, you good and faithful servant: you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter into the joy of your lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, you delivered unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter into the joy of your lord”, and in chapter twenty-five and verse twenty-four of his book, Matthew writes how Jesus shares how the servant with “one talent” said, “I knew you that you are an hard man” where we read:

Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew you that you are an hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not strawed:

The verse reads, “Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew you that you are an hard man, ...” Matthew began with Jesus' word, “then” which means “moreover and” “he which had received” or “the servant who was delivered, given and entrusted with” “the one talent” which means “the one sum of money weighing a talent and varying in different states and according to the changes in the laws regulating currency” “came” or “arose, appeared and came forth” “and said” which means “and uttered, declared and proclaimed”, “Lord” or “one to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding or master”, “I knew you” which means “understood, perceived and had knowledge about the master” “that you are a hard man” or “that the master was a harsh, rough, stiff, stern, violent, offensive and intolerable man”. Matthew shared how Jesus said the servant entrusted with “one talent” came before his master and began to tell him how he understood him to be “harsh, rough and violent”.

The verse goes on to say, “reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not strawed:” Matthew added Jesus' word, “reaping” which means “harvesting crops that are cut down with a sickle” “where you have not sown” or “in place the master did not scatter and plant seed”, “and gathering” which means “and drawing together and collecting” “where you have not strawed” or “in places the master did not scatter abroad, disperse or winnow”. Matthew shared how Jesus said the servant with one talent told his master that he knew how his master “reaped” crops that he did not plant and he “collected” grain from places he did not winnow or thresh.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we discover how this “servant” made excuses for what he is about to disclose to his master. Rather than labor and work with his master's “one talent”, he hid and kept it secret. God desires people to have a loving and trustworthy relationship with Him through His Son Jesus, and when they yield their lives to Him and He entrusts them with “gifts” which they are to use them to the fullest and never attempt to discredit or blame God for their inactivity.

Next time Matthew writes how Jesus shares how the servant with “one talent” says, “I was afraid, and went and hid your talent”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.