Devotion
The Gift of Talents
Frances Taylor
We all know this parable. The man gives each of his servants goods "according to his ability" and expects them to do something with them. The first two servants increase the value of the property, but the third buries his and does nothing with it. God gives each of us gifts according to our abilities and expects that we will use them, work with them and increase them. For many years, children born with Down 's syndrome were put into institutions because they were thought incapable of learning. Today, we see children and adults with this condition working, acting, in relationships – doing many of the things we take for granted.
A family I know has a daughter with Down's syndrome who is now in her fifties. When she was born, her parents were advised to put her in an institution, but they refused. They worked with her so that she learned to read, to use money, so that she was able to get a job as well as to participate in community activities. One the other hand, people with intelligence often use it for a life of crime rather than a life serving the community. There are others who have gifts that they might not value and so don't develop them.
Each of us has gifts given to us by God – and he didn't give us anything we couldn't use! People think that gifts have to be things like artistic or musical talents, but patience is a gift; the ability to explain a problem is a gift. These might lead to a vocation as a teacher, or a mechanic. Some are skilled with their hands and others with their minds. Curiosity is the gift of the scientist, as well as perseverance. We need to think outside the box when we think about our gifts and once we figure it out, use them wisely because we all will be called to account one day.
Prayer
Dear God, You have given us gifts for our good and the good of others. Help us to identify them so that we might use them to your benefit. Amen.
Devotion
The Unjust Manager
Frances Taylor
We all know the story of the unjust servant. He had been stealing from his master and now he'd been caught. He decided to ingratiate himself with those who owed his master money so they would take care of him after he lost his job. His master commended him on his worldly wisdom, what today we might call "street smarts." But dishonesty has a price. It is very hard for someone to trust those who are dishonest. The person who robs a bank, or embezzles money, probably stole from a parent of shoplifted first. People who are dishonest start out early, a few lies, a piece of candy stolen from a store, something minor, then they progress. Acquiring money can get to be a habit, as the parable of the dishonest manager points out. People often misquote the saying, "The love of money is the root of all evil." They say, "Money is the root of all evil." Money itself is not the problem; it's the love of money. There are those who put money above family or ...
Morning Prayer
The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
Inspiration
God has never shirked his responsibility to his children. Bad things may of course also happen to good people, but that is not what is simply meant here. For our earthly bodies are encumbrances in the afterlife, shed so the spirit may roam free. All bad we endure on earth here are at the hands of men, and to be taken as part of God's trails, since he still watches over us. But remember, our ultimate, and our most important safeguarding comes in the afterlife. The faithful are rewarded, and in Heaven their souls are all finally protected from evil. Where we will be at last, safe and secure in everlasting peace.
Prayer
Lord God, my guide and protector, I pray you be with me today as I face unknown trials and tribulations. Help me endure these storms, so that I may be strengthened in my ...
Night Prayer
But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
Inspiration
As leaders, we must be trainable, which means we are willing to take constructive criticism as a newcomer and understand that we are serving those we lead. We must be open-minded to the way people have functioned in the past and gentle when announcing the change. God bless us with authority, and we seek to use it for the good of others with humble, teachable hearts.
Prayer
Dear Father, when You select us for leadership positions, we will accept them with humility. Instead of leading with tyranny, we will lead with love and open-mindedness. In Jesus' name, Amen.
