Most of us learned two lessons early in childhood: Avoid hot surfaces and sharp objects. They can hurt you. These were good words of wisdom to follow as kids, but now that we’re adults, it’s important to learn a couple more. For God sometimes calls us to pursue things that are (figuratively speaking) fiery and edgy. Some of life’s greatest rewards are found in taking risks.
To illustrate the significance of taking risks, Jesus told a story about a landowner who took an extended journey. Before he left, the man entrusted three different sums of money to three servants, “dividing it in proportion to their abilities” (Matthew 25:15). While he was away, two of the servants wisely took a risk and invested the cash their master had entrusted to them. The investments paid off! They each doubled their portion of the landowner’s wealth (Matthew 25:16-17). And when the master returned, they were each handsomely rewarded for their bold business moves (Matthew 25:19-23).
The third servant took a safer approach. Rather than running the risk of an investment going bad, he hid his money in the ground (Matthew 25:18). Although he didn’t steal or lose any of his master’s wealth, he received a severe reprimand for not going for it! (Matthew 25:24-27).
It can be tempting to play it safe as did the third servant. Instead of faithfully taking what God has entrusted to us and doing something risky for His kingdom, we can slip into the take-no-chances routine of attending church, giving a few bucks, and maybe serving (out of guilt) as an usher or nursery worker.
Don’t hold back! Take some wise risks and use what you have for God. Although the outcome may be uncertain, you can suffer deep loss by simply playing it safe.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Samuel 8:6-22
More:
What can you use for God’s glory? Check out 1 Peter 4:10.
Next:
What is something you’ve always wanted to do for Jesus but have been too afraid to begin? How can you distinguish between a risk that’s wise and one that’s foolish?
pastortim on March 22, 2011 at 5:36 am
Intimidation can be a terrible thing. The one who buried his talent was intimidated by fear of loss, a negative outlook that will hinder us from taking chances to do what God has called us to do. One day we will give account, as in the story, for what we do.
will77 on March 22, 2011 at 5:41 am
my wife and I are steping out once again for our seventh mission trip in eight years, to the amazon ministering to tribes along the river and in the jungle there will be no physical comforts on this trip. Though we have taken many trips it will require new faith new risks to accomplish what God has placed in our hearts. He has brought us through every time we often tell everyone that we have many testimonies of Gods love and amazing provision before we set foot on the plane to go. It will require new faith and trust in Him during this time. At 47 years of age this passage has often troubled me as I have no outward talents. There is so much talk about knowing your purpose and shaping your life around and then running with it. I am just a common laborer I do what I can around our church and I enjoy doing so. All I know is to love the Lord with all that I am love and cherish my wife and to love and raise my children in a house that loves God. I often feel like the servant with the one talent and not even sure of what that talent is I know that there are times in my life that I have burried it. Please pray that with this new challenge and the many more that will continue throughout the rest of my life that I will put them to use and not be tempted to bury them.
Thank you for the great reminder of His word in this area today
God Bless
William
jeremiah7 on March 22, 2011 at 9:38 am
seventh mission trip in eight years…thats not a small thing. Not everyones got the talent or guts to do that. Your talent lies in your ability to go on missions. That’s wonderful.
[[I often feel like the servant with the one talent and not even sure of what that talent is I know that there are times in my life that I have burried it.]]
The Holy Spirit reminds me of a verse for you….
“Go in this might of yours, …………………… Have I not sent you?” (Judges 6:14)
eppistle on March 22, 2011 at 7:28 am
Sometimes the most foolish risk is to not take a risk. As Teddy Roosevelt said, “Far better to dream mighty dreams and dare glorious victories even though checkered by defeats than to enter that grey twilight of people who know neither victory nor defeat, because they fear to fail”
pampauley65 on March 22, 2011 at 8:29 am
This is a subject that has been on my mind for quite a while. In 2002 I lost my son to a motorcycle accident. There was a support group in my town led by a wonderful Christian lady and if it had not been for that group I am not sure I would have survived. It has been on my heart that God would like for me to start a group where I now live but I am afraid of the responsibility and I don’t know how to get started. I attend a wonderful church but am relatively new there so don’t know many people. I’m not even sure there is a need in this church for a group. Please pray for and with me that God will give me some direction if this is the purpose he has for me.
jeremiah7 on March 22, 2011 at 9:31 am
Fine reminder for me this day. Timely. I’ve been playing it safe for a while. Perhaps it’s because I have been deeply and badly wounded (by believers) when I took the risks……..
Of course I reach thousands through the net each day, but taking risks could prove more profitable to the Master and his kingdom.
Thanks. God bless you.
Geraint Davies on March 22, 2011 at 3:59 pm
I feel challenged by todays devotional especially jeremiah7s comments I too have been badly hurt by believers and I am still trying to come to terms with whats happened in my life, I used to hold office in my church but felt discouraged and dissillusioned so I have retreated into my shell for the time being and am seeking the Lord’s wisdom. I too am a practical person like Will 77 and I too try to do all that I can to help people and do practical things in the church. I am not too sure about the “Out of my comfort zone thing” I operated out of my comfort zone for years but I can’t look back at that time with many fond memories.
will77 on March 22, 2011 at 5:33 pm
Thanks for the encouragement. I never looked at it that way. I do want to say I know people from church can hurt you deeply. But dont pull away God has made you this way. I came to learn this lesson after many years of getting hurt and I realized this is how God has created me and I will not withhold how He has created me from other people. I have learned to focus on glorifying Him and in times of pain from others I give it back to the Lord and press on in love
God Bless
jeff olson on March 22, 2011 at 10:30 am
this is a challenging passage indeed..I love the Teddy Roosevelt quote…I have in up in my office.
will77, what you are doing is a compassionate and gutsy thing…don’t in any way sell yourself short…you have more to give than you probably realize
pampauley65, sorry to hear about your son…you obviously have a burden for folks who have been through this sort of crushing loss…God often directs us through our burdens…step out…you have something important to offer!
will77 on March 22, 2011 at 5:35 pm
Thank You I have never looked at it that way it hhas always been a passion in my heart and I feel grateful to be able to serve in this way
hymns150 on March 22, 2011 at 1:00 pm
Wow! Just happened to find your page while looking for a devotional thought for our staff meeting. This devotional today is so aimed at me (Thank you Lord for guiding my mouse!) We get in a comfortable ‘rut’ and with ‘life happenings’ it is easy to take that comfortable rut. With two daughters in college, medical bills, rising prices, I don’t want to rock the boat and keep the job safe. But, is that really what God whats or is it time to be bold for Him? Time to act!!
winn collier on March 22, 2011 at 2:07 pm
For me, taking risks requires moving into fear. I want to do that…