Breaking Fear

Breaking Fear

Theme: Breaking the fear of moving and restoring the joy.

Text: Matthew 25:14-30

Matthew 25:14 NLT "Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a trip. He called together his servants and gave them money to invest for him while he was gone. 15 He gave five bags of gold to one, two bags of gold to another, and one bag of gold to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities—and then left on his trip. 16 The servant who received the five bags of gold began immediately to invest the money and soon doubled it. 17 The servant with two bags of gold also went right to work and doubled the money. 18 But the servant who received the one bag of gold dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money for safekeeping. 19 "After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money. 20 The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of gold said, ‘Sir, you gave me five bags of gold to invest, and I have doubled the amount.’ 21 The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’ (enter into the joy of the Lord) 22 "Next came the servant who had received the two bags of gold, with the report, ‘Sir, you gave me two bags of gold to invest, and I have doubled the amount.’ 23 The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’(enter into the joy of the Lord) 24 "Then the servant with the one bag of gold came and said, ‘Sir, I know you are a hard man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate. 25 I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth and here it is.’ 26 "But the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! You think (the Lord was not saying that the servant was right in his assessment, actually it could be translated with sarcasm, or disdain, He is telling the servant if you thought all these things even though they were not true then you should have . . .) I’m a hard man, do you, harvesting crops I didn’t plant and gathering crops I didn’t cultivate? 27 Well, you should at least have put my money into the bank so I could have some interest. 28 Take the money from this servant and give it to the one with the ten bags of gold. 29 To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who are unfaithful, even what little they have will be taken away. 30 Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Introduction

Most of the time when we think about this passage we think about stewardship and talents. That is the word that we use in the KJV & NKJV. The original word talent was used for a measure of gold. It was used as money.

So we know that first this is a message about doing right with the Lord’s money. I think this is important to understand. As I told you to underline certain words in this passage I want you to notice a few things.

1st it is the Lord’s money. It is the Lord who gives it to the servant. You see the money we have is not our own. We know this.

2nd God only gives to each individual as to “their abilities” (or you could say faithfulness). God knows our abilities and he only gives more if we could handle more. Many people who struggle with tithing or giving to the church think, “Well when I get more money, when I get that raise, when this happens or that changes then I will be able to tithe.” Tithing is about faithfulness and integrity. Even when we don’t feel like we have it we give it because we trust the Lord.

3rd An account will be given. It will happen either here on earth, or even worse in heaven. I say even worse in heaven because at least here on earth we can change it.

4th I like what the Lord says, “Let’s celebrate together”. Or “Enter into the joy of the Lord”.

As I was reading this passage it was like the Lord was saying, “This is what happens when people give faithfully. When they give they enter into the joy of the Lord. No matter their circumstances. No matter their problems they have joy.