Let’s recap part 1, We started in James with this scripture James 2:14(NKJV)
Faith Without Works Is Dead
“What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?”
The very thing Jesus left us with, is the very thing He is hoping to see when He eventually returns. Which is called Faith through the Holy Spirit ! What is this Faith? As Paul says in Romans 12:6 , we all have gifts “that differ according to the grace given to us”, and each gift requires a different “measure of faith” that God supplies us with.
As such, this measure of faith enables us to use sober judgment to assess how we can use our gifts as a unique member of the body of Christ.
We also started with of the Parable of the Talents (Matt 25:14-30). Finally we concluded with this. From James who is making this point, that faith has been given and design by the Lord. Who gives it to us, (to each of us according to our ability). For it to reveal through works our belief in Him.
This is why Jesus came as a servant to serve His Father ! For faith only becomes real in serving. Through this, the world gets to see the heart of the Father, which is centred in true selfless love. This was what Jesus’s life was a witness of (revealing the Father ), He also commissioned us to follow and continue until He returns
Lets continue with the Parable of the talents. As we read here is a question for you to answer: do you remember what each servant did with their talents?
Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money.
Here we see 2 used the talents to the best of their ability, this would have been risky. We know as it says, the one with 5 traded his. It doesn’t tell us what he traded in, it could have been gold, spices or bonds, shares or other investments.
Now if you have ever invested funds such a return only comes with incredible risk, and for those of you that like formulas here it is: To calculate the risk/ return ratio (also known as the risk-reward ratio), you need to divide the amount you stand to lose if your investment does not perform as expected (the risk) by the amount you stand to gain if it does (the reward).
It also doesn’t say how the one with two talents obtained his 100% gain, yet somehow both did. Both gaining 100% which in today terms is a very very good return for investment right?
Interesting if you work out both 2 talent and 5 talents this way you will get the same results 1% risk/ reward ratio of 1:1 means that an investor is willing to risk the same amount of capital that they deposit into a position. This can go in two directions: either the trader will double their amount of capital through a winning trade, or they will lose all of their capital. Now imagine this to two servant doing this with such a remarkable gift given to them knowing one day the master will return.
Did you know a talent of silver is a measurement unit used to quantify the amount of silver present in an object or product? The term “talent” is derived from the Greek language, meaning “to bear” or “to carry”. In modern times, a talent is commonly used to refer to a specific weight or mass of precious metal. For example, a talent of silver equals about 32 kilograms, or 70.5 pounds or 1128.77 Troy ounces.
In order to determine how much 1 talent of silver is worth today, it is necessary to analyse the current market price of silver. As of Aug 7th 2023, the spot price of silver is approximately $1,222.69 (NZD) per kg, keeping that in mind, 1 talent of silver is currently worth around $39,126.08 NZD (32 kilograms x 1,222.69 NZD ).
But some say it was Gold the value of 1 talent of silver to other precious metals. Gold, for example, is typically more valuable than silver due to its rarity and desirability. As of 7th August 2023, the spot price of gold is approximately $102,148.31 NZD per kilogram. Therefore, 1 talent of gold is currently worth around $3,268,745.92 NZD (32 kilograms x 102,148.31 NZD).
So the one who received 5 talents if it was silver $195,630.4 or gold $16,343,729.6 NZD, the one that receive 2 talents if it was silver $78,252.16 NZD or gold $6,537,491.84 NZD and finally the one that received 1 talent if it was silver $39,126.08 NZD or gold $3,268,745.92 NZD. We simply do not know exactly what substance it was. But what we do know is either way it was a worth a lot of money! Also let’s remember the truth that our Abba Father is into extravagance and loves to bless His kids,
For Extravagance is defined as ‘exceeding what is reasonable or appropriate’ which truly describes the character of Abba Father’s love. Here’s verses that confirm this.
“Consider the kind of extravagant love the Father has lavished on us” 1 John 3:3
“Your love is so extravagant, it reaches higher than the heavens! Your faithfulness is so astonishing, it stretches to the skies!” Psalms 108:4 TPT
Lets conclude with this today ! The Lord chooses to entrust us with great richest, as He did with each of servants. As we might think, to start with a little first and then more once people have proved them self worthy. He does not, He chooses to go all out, start out with extravagance. Yes, He may of given to each according to his ability, in our parable we are reading. But each received an extravagant amount as we have seen today. The heart that is able to weight the value of what we have received and see all that the Father has provided. Will be able to also know, the worth and weight of the Father’s extravagance In turn the the Father Heart overflowing with abundance for His children.
This is the same with us all today ! But if we don’t know what we have and valuable it is, we
Let’s pause here for today !
Challenge Time: (grab your journal and space to be with the Lord, record all He says)
1. Ask the Lord to show you whats in your hands, the value and worth of all He has given you ? Maybe write this down and mediated on what He has shown you.
2. Ask the Father what He has for you, awaiting for you, for the time to release it to and through you. Write these down to go back to, to keep you focused as you walk towards seeing it happen or become reality in this world, in your life.
3. Now ask Him to revealing to you all the plans, purposes and promises He has for you ! Write these down.
4. With all you have written, you now have all that is needed to acquire those things He has revealed to you. The key is using the FAITH He is given to you through the Holy Spirit. So ask Him to reveal to you the changes,or steps toward using your faith towards seeing, all He has reveal to you and you have written down. Write this down.
5. As the Lord to Renew your mind as per Roman’s 12:2, Your thinking to be able to discern His thoughts and ways ! Revealing the mind of Christ to you.
6 Now in the place or position, its time to start walking with your eyes on Him, putting action and being a witness towards these promises.
7 Time to finish in praise and worship, Thanking Him for all He has changed,renewed,restored and release or imparted into you, that will be release through you.
Let’s end with prayer that we end part one of this series with. As I below the Lord wants to take us into an even even deeper understated and release even more, into and through us today.
Father I thank you for your glory ! Today I acknowledge and give you all the glory for Your mighty power that works in me and accomplish all this. I believe You will achieve infinitely more than my greatest request, my most unbelievable dream, and exceed my wildest imagination! And You Father will outdo them all, for Your miraculous power constantly energizes me. Amen
