Jesus Style Leadership 3 - Crop & FaithSample

Gifted to Produce a Crop

Leadership Lesson

Jesus expects kingdom results (a Crop) from the resources he has given you.

Read Matthew 25:14–18.

Comment

Let’s quickly look at the meaning of this parable, although you’ve probably already got it. Jesus is the man going on the journey, and we are the servants who are entrusted with his wealth while he is away. Each bag of gold represents a certain amount of gifts and resources that Jesus gives each of his followers to use. Some of us get more bags than others according to our “ability” (25:15). There are four important lessons here: 1. God has given you your gifts and talents. They have not come by chance but have been carefully allocated by God. You need to accept and appreciate what God has given you. 2. You will be more talented than some leaders but not as talented as others. If you don’t come to grips with this, you will struggle with either pride or inadequacy. 3. God is expecting a return on his investment. I am calling this "Crop"—our contribution to the growth of God’s Kingdom. As we use our gifts and resources, they will produce results for God. 4. Those who are more gifted are expected to produce a greater Crop. The good news is that it doesn’t matter how many “bags of gold” you get; it’s just a matter of using them well. The guy whose Crop was two bags ended up getting exactly the same praise from the Master as the one who earned five bags.

Prayer

Lord, I thank you for all the resources you have given me. I occasionally look at other leaders and wish I had more talents, more gifts, more time, and more opportunities. But deep down, I appreciate that you have entrusted me with the gifts, talents, and resources that you want me to use. I know that the results are ultimately up to you, but I’m willing to work smart and hard. Help me to produce a good Crop with what you have given me.

Personal Reflection

List some of the gifts, abilities, and resources that God has given you. Thank God for what he has entrusted to you and how you are presently using these “bags of gold” as a Jesus-style leader.