”For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.
Matthew 25:29New International Version (NIV)
The Abundant Life
When people, more so Christians, talk about abundant life in Christ, they share some common beliefs and they also have divergent points. However, abundant life is about what we receive as a gift from the Lord and what we do with the same. This is where scripture such as Matthew 25:14-30 bring clarity on the abundant life, especially the key to everlasting abundance.
The Parable of the Bags of Gold
The Departure of the Master
14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
The Return of the Master
19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’
21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’
23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’
26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
The Reward/Punishment of the Master
28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
In other words, a master about to go on a journey entrusted his property to all his servants according to each one’s abilities. After he had gone, two of his three servants traded with the money he had left them and doubled the same. The third servant didn’t do anything with the money.
After a long while, the master returned and settled accounts with each of them. The two were rewarded while the third was punished.
The Key to Everlasting Abundance
The key to everlasting abundance is hidden in the Parable of the Talents. This key is made up of the following elements.
- Ability to work without supervision
- Possessing the proper perspectives
- Faithfulness with small things
Prayer
Thank you Lord for the many blessings in my life. Help me to be a faithful steward of your blessings. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.
Additional Resources
