01-Feb-2024 – Do you have?
whosoever hath, to him shall be given – Luke 8:18
Today marks the start of a new month, and for our daily devotional, the theme assigned by God is “What do you have?” Let us yield to God’s guidance and submit ourselves to His leading.
In today’s verse, Jesus addressed his disciples, cautioning them to be mindful of what they hear. He emphasized that those who already possess will receive more, but those who think they have something when they do not will lose even that which they believed they had.
Upon reading this, several immediate questions arise: What is it that we should possess? What does it mean to truly hear in this context?
To find answers and to understand what God wants us to receive, let’s meditate on the following verses
For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey – Matthew 25:14-15
In this verse our focus for today is what the man told and what the servants heard, finally what happened.
The man called his servants and entrusted them with the care of his goods. Since they were his own servants, he knew their capabilities. Accordingly, he assigned responsibilities based on their skills. Giving them this responsibility likely involved instructing them to handle and look after the goods with care.
All the servants heard the same instruction: to take care of the goods entrusted to them. However, their understanding varied. Two of them took initiative, trading and doubling the goods. In contrast, one servant, driven by fear, chose to hide the goods underground, rather than risking loss.
Upon the man’s return, the servants returned the entrusted goods. The two who multiplied them were commended and granted authority over additional possessions. However, the servant who hid his portion received a rebuke, and what was given to him was taken away.
All the servants received the command to care for the given things. Two of them perceived it as an opportunity for further development, while the third servant interpreted it differently. Perhaps observing the actions of the other two, he may have desired to do something similar. However, his fear of the master led him to hide the entrusted possessions, opting to return them unchanged instead of investing or utilizing them.
The distinctive factor distinguishing the two faithful servants from the third is their possession of an understanding of the nature and character of their master. It is in this understanding that they heard, received, and executed the instructions, aligning with the theme of today’s devotional: “What do you have?”
In our lives, God grants us opportunities and talents. Some of us confidently utilize them, trusting in God’s guidance, while others conceal them out of fear—whether fear of judgment from others or fear of making mistakes that might upset God. This stems from a lack of understanding of God’s nature. It is crucial for us to personally grasp who God is—His nature, His communication, His responses, His guidance, and His will. Through individual experience and understanding, our actions will prosper.
May God help us to hear right so that, we could do right.
Prayer
Dear Loving Heavenly Father, I express gratitude for the new theme, “What do you have?” Please guide me to recognize the opportunities and resources bestowed upon me, using them for Your glory. Grant me a deeper understanding of Your nature and characteristics, allowing me to utilize these opportunities in the right manner. I offer this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
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