Jesus positioned us for stability. Psalm 40:1–3 (NIV) 1 I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. 2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.
Matthew 25:14–30 (NLT) 14 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. 15 He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip. 16 “The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more. 17 The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more. 18 But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money. 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 silver came forward with five more and said, ‘Master, you gave me five bags of silver to invest, and I have earned five more.’ 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!’ 22 “The servant who had received the two bags of silver came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two bags of silver to invest, and I have earned two more.’ 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!’ 24 “Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a harsh 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. Look, here is your money back.’ 26 “But the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn’t plant and gathered crops I didn’t cultivate, 27 why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’ 28 “Then he ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver. 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 do nothing, 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.’
Blame Shifting:
“Blame shifting is a victim mindset.”
Here, the blame was placed on the Master: Matthew 25:24–25 (NLT) 24 ‘Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate. 25 I was afraid…
Owning Personal Responsibility Galatians 6:1–10 (NIV) 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, 5 for each one should carry his own load. 6 Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor. 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
1. Develop a healthy perspective about God.
A wise master: Matthew 25:18(NLT) “Dividing it in proportion to their abilities
“A solid view of God will help you develop a solid relationship with God.”
Ways people see God: Santa clause, Darth Vader, ONLY ANGRY, The way we should see God: JESUS.
God is always Good.
Psalm 119:68(NLT) You are good and do only good; teach me your decrees. The goodness of God doesn’t nullify our responsibility.
2. Take responsibility Romans 14:12 (NIV). Each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.
“The irresponsible will always have excuses.”
3. Maintain a sowing and reaping mindset.
“Fear hides and fear hoards.”
A. You reap what you sow. 3 T’s: Time Talent Treasure.
“The size of the seed is always smaller than the harvest.”
B. You reap how you sow 2 Corinthians 9:6 (NIV) Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
C. You reap where you sow.
D. You reap after you sow “If you want to grow it, you have to sow it.”
E. Reaping takes longer than sowing. Galatians 6:9(NIV) Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
“Faith or doubt fills the tension between seeing and reaping.”
