Based on “The Precious Promise”
by Pastor Norm Holm; 9/9/09,
Message #NH102;
Daily Devotional #2 -
“The Investment”
Preparing the Soil (Introduction): I am not an investment consultant, and honestly, I don’t know much about investing. The very little I do understand is that if you don’t invest in anything, then you don’t get anything back. I know that’s kind of basic, isn’t it? As in many things, this principle applies to our spiritual lives, too. If we invest nothing, then we shouldn’t be surprised to see zero return on the investment.
Jesus told a parable about this. The owner of a field gave three of his servants some money and told them to invest it. Two of the servants did so and doubled the amounts they were given. One, however, simply buried the money so that he wouldn’t lose it. Jesus said the owner of the field came back and was pleased with the two who did what he had asked. But the one who buried the coin received an eviction notice (Matthew 25:15-30)! God has entrusted, or better yet invested in, each of His born again followers with a precious gift.
Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:13-14)
God has placed His Holy Spirit in our lives as a deposit of what is to come.
This investment in our lives is for the good of His kingdom. When we allow Him to have His way in us, then the investment begins to grow. Just like the guys in the parable, what we have been given can only grow if we invest it wisely. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. (John 15:7-8) When we allow God’s Spirit to work through us, we bring glory to God.
Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): We all have the same investment of the Spirit. We all live on the same planet. We all have to answer a question for our own life: “Where am I investing this gift?” Is it being invested in a ‘growth fund,’ or have I simply buried it in the ground? If you go back to the story, you will notice that the only happy people are those who invested the deposit wisely and willingly. In parallel, the only happy Christians are the ones who have taken hold of the will of God for their lives and allowed the gifts of the Spirit to draw people to Him and therefore, bring glory to God. I want to be one of those servants who hear the Lord say, “…Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!” (Matthew 25:23)
Cultivating (Additional Reading): 2 Peter 1:3-11
