Find Your Joy in the Privileges You Have

 HOW TO INCREASE  YOUR  JOY

In the parable, a man was about to go on a trip. Before leaving, he called his slaves and gave each one of them talents in which to do business.. Taking into consideration their individual abilities, the man gave five talents to one slave, two to another, and one to a third slave.  The first two slaves  cared for these assets diligently. The third slave however, did nothing with the money he was given, and he was dismissed from the master's service.  

The first slave must have felt privileged to be entrusted with five of the master's talents. That was a great deal of money,  and it indicated the extent of the master's trust in him!   But what  about the second slave?  He could have been discouraged because he did not receive as many talents as the first slave did.  But how did he respond?

Read Matthew 25:22, 23. Jesus did not say that the secod slave became upset and resentful because he had only received two talents. And Jesus did not portray the slave as complaining: "Is this all I get?  Why, I am just as capable as the slave who received five talents!!  If my master does not appreciate me, I may as well bury these two talents and pursue my own interests.

Like the first slave, the second slave too very seriously the responsibility he had been given and worked  hard to serve his master.  As a result, he doubled his master's talents.  This slave's diligence and skill were richly rewarded . Not only did his master rejoice but he had judged the slave worthy of taking on even more responsibility!  

Next time: Find Your Joy in the Privileges You Have/ Conclusion of HOW TO INCREASE YOUR JOY

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