Power Moves: A 7-Day Reading Plan to Rediscover Your Inner StrengthSample

Day Six: Power Move: Fear Less

In Matthew 25, Jesus shares a story, or parable, about “the kingdom of heaven.” A master had three servants, each of whom he gave “talents,” which is translated as “bags of gold” in the NIV.

The servants were expected to multiply their talents through investment. Two of the three were successful. The one who failed was not unsuccessful because of a lack of effort. He was unsuccessful out of extreme caution. He did not want to risk losing what he’d been given and determined that at least returning what he had was better than losing it altogether.

I believe the principle Jesus was sharing here is a deep one. I perceive that He was teaching us about the risks we must be willing to take to be fruitful in spreading the revelation of the kingdom of heaven. The concept that power is not reserved for a select few but is freely given to anyone willing to be led by the Spirit of God is not just a good idea—it’s a revelation. The reality that your past does not define you and that Jesus doesn’t just look past your flaws but literally looks right at them and still thinks you’re to die for, is a revelation.

This parable shows us that the kingdom of heaven is like a master, God, who gave His servants, us, something too valuable to keep to ourselves. If you know that you have come from God, but you keep it within because you’re afraid to fail, you are allowing what God has given you to bow down to fear. Perhaps fear has been sitting on the throne of your life for so long that you’re forcing your anointing to bow down to it. The lesson that we glean from the man who hid his talents is that Jesus does not want us to hoard what we’ve been given.

God can’t multiply what you won’t sacrifice. The man with the talents was so afraid of failing that he missed an opportunity for multiplication. When the other servants proved that they could take what they’d been given and multiply it, they showed their master that they could endure the vulnerability that comes with risking failure.

Respond:

Consider the risks you avoid due to fear. How can embracing vulnerability lead to a more fruitful and impactful life?

Prayer:

God, please guide me by Your Spirit not to hide away what You have provided to me but to multiply it freely and generously to others. Amen.