{"id":45215,"date":"2020-12-24T22:54:49","date_gmt":"2020-12-24T19:54:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=45215"},"modified":"2025-05-09T22:32:00","modified_gmt":"2025-05-09T19:32:00","slug":"serving-god-might-not-look-like-you-expect-but-its-worth-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2020\/12\/24\/serving-god-might-not-look-like-you-expect-but-its-worth-it\/","title":{"rendered":"SERVING GOD MIGHT NOT LOOK LIKE YOU EXPECT\u2014BUT IT\u2019S WORTH IT"},"content":{"rendered":"

Shalom!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s reflect on a deep truth from God\u2019s Word today. Scripture tells us that:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.\u201d<\/em> \u2013 Psalm 12:6<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This means God’s Word holds endless depth\u2014it can be read over and over, each time revealing fresh insight. That\u2019s why, even after centuries, the Bible is still alive and relevant. (Hebrews 4:12)<\/p>\n

The Parable of the Talents<\/h3>\n

(Matthew 25:14\u201330)<\/h3>\n

In this parable, Jesus tells of a master who entrusts three servants with different amounts of money (called “talents”) before going on a journey. One receives five talents, another two, and the last one, a single talent.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The first two servants immediately put their gifts to work and double what was given to them. But the third servant, who received one talent, chose to bury his and returned it unused. Listen to his reasoning:<\/p>\n

\u201cMaster, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.\u201d<\/em> \u2013 Matthew 25:24\u201325<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

His words are striking. He wasn\u2019t inventing lies\u2014he was speaking out of fear and personal perception. He saw his master as demanding, someone who expected results without always providing clear resources. This belief caused him to do nothing.<\/p>\n

Yet notice: while he was overthinking and making assumptions, the other servants got to work<\/strong>, even without ideal conditions. They didn\u2019t let fear hold them back. They were faithful with what they had.<\/p>\n

Theology in Focus: Faithfulness Over Comfort<\/strong><\/p>\n

This parable reminds us of a key theological truth: God doesn\u2019t call us to serve Him only when things are ideal\u2014He calls us to be faithful with what we have.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In Luke 16:10, Jesus says:<\/p>\n

\u201cOne who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

And again, Paul reminds us:<\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.\u201d<\/em> \u2013 Colossians 3:23<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Serving God may not always feel convenient. You might be tempted to say, \u201cOnce I have more money, a house, or a car, I\u2019ll start giving or serving.\u201d But that mindset is rooted in fear and misunderstanding.<\/p>\n

The third servant let fear dictate his response. He viewed the master through a lens of mistrust and self-preservation. In contrast, the others chose to trust and act\u2014despite the risk.<\/p>\n

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The Cost of Inaction & The Reward of Obedience<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When the master returned, he praised the faithful servants:<\/p>\n

\u201cWell done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.\u201d<\/em> \u2013 Matthew 25:21<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

But the third servant was rebuked:<\/p>\n

\u201cYou wicked and slothful servant!… Take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents… And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness.\u201d<\/em> \u2013 Matthew 25:26, 28, 30<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This is not just about money. It\u2019s about kingdom responsibility<\/strong>. God entrusts each of us with gifts\u2014time, talent, resources. He expects us to steward them, even when it\u2019s hard, inconvenient, or feels like we\u2019re lacking.<\/p>\n

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Practical Application: Start With What You Have<\/strong><\/h3>\n

You don\u2019t need to wait until you have \u201cenough\u201d to serve God. He\u2019s not asking for what you don\u2019t have\u2014He\u2019s asking you to use what He\u2019s already given you<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

If you only have one hour a week, give it. If you have just a little to give, give faithfully. God sees the heart.<\/p>\n

\u201cEach one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.\u201d<\/em> \u2013 2 Corinthians 9:7<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

When you\u2019re faithful with little, God will entrust you with more\u2014just like the two servants who went on to be rulers over cities (Luke 19:17).<\/p>\n

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Conclusion: Be a Faithful Servant<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Don\u2019t let fear, comparison, or unrealistic expectations stop you from serving. Don\u2019t be like the servant who buried his gift. Be like the ones who worked with what they had and were richly rewarded.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

You may feel like you\u2019re giving from a place of lack\u2014but in God\u2019s kingdom, obedience always leads to abundance.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Start where you are. Use what you have. Serve faithfully.<\/p>\n

Shalom.<\/strong><\/p>\n