Don’t Be Afraid to Work – November 24, 2023

Read: Matthew 25:14-30

Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them.
Matthew 25:14

Don’t Be Afraid to Work

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Do you like to work? Maybe you want to say “No!” It’s a lot more fun to play and do things that we want to do, right? But actually, work is a good thing! God gave it to us a privilege and a blessing! Just think of how a little two-year-old girl imitates her mom and dad, picking up things around the house, pretending to clean and take care of baby dolls. Think of how a little four-year-old boy likes to work on projects outside with his parents. In Eden, God blessed Adam with the work of caring for the garden. To Adam, that work was a joy and a privilege.

When God gives us work to do, he also gives us the abilities to do it. That’s the truth that Jesus talks about in today’s Bible lesson. It’s a story about a wealthy master. He was rich, but he was also very generous, kind, and loving. Can you guess who that might be? It’s God! And this master gives his servants some of his wealth to take care of. He says, “I want you to be in charge of this and put it to work for me!” Can you guess who the servants are? That’s us!

God has called us into his service, and he has given us brains and talents. Think of the special skills and abilities you have. God calls us to use them and put them to work for him.

Maybe that means putting a portion of our allowance or our birthday money back as an offering to support the work for Jesus. Maybe it means we use the energy God has given us for more than just playing. Maybe it’s serving Jesus by helping to clean up around the house without being asked.

Is work always going to be easy and fun? No, not always. There are days when we get lazy and don’t want to work. That’s why it helps to remember Jesus and his work on the cross. It wasn’t easy, but it paid off! He forgives us when we get lazy or don’t want to work. He calls us back to work for him again. That’s when we realize, “Wow, I get to work for God today!” We get to use everything God has given us for him. What a joy it is to work when we do it for Jesus!

Closing Prayer:

Gracious Lord, accept our service
for the sake of Christ, your Son;
lo, our hope abides now only
in the righteousness he won.
Bless and save us, help and guide us,
watch to comfort and restore,
till in heav’n we rest rejoicing,
praising you forevermore. Amen.
(Christian Worship 748:3)

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• Where does everything we have come from?
• Name something you can do really well because God gave you the ability.

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• What is your favorite talent God has blessed you with?
• How might you use that talent to serve God this week?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• How does Jesus’ forgiveness change the way you think about your money, time, and talents?
• Come up with three ways you can use your talents to serve Jesus (one for church, one for home, one for school).