A.W. Tozer once wrote in The Knowledge of the Holy, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” Our understanding of God influences everything—including how we handle what He has entrusted to us.

In the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), Jesus tells a story that reveals how our perception of God directly affects our stewardship. Three servants are given different amounts of money while their master is away. Two invest what they receive and are rewarded for their faithfulness. The third, however, buries his portion out of fear. His failure wasn’t just financial—it was a failure of understanding his master’s character.

A Misunderstanding That Led to Fear

At first glance, the punishment of the third servant might seem extreme. After all, he didn’t lose the money—he simply didn’t invest it. But Jesus’ parable isn’t just about financial stewardship; it’s about how we see God.

The third servant viewed his master as “a hard man” (Matthew 25:24), someone to be feared rather than trusted. His words reveal the issue of his heart:

“Master, I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground.” - Matthew 25:24-25

His fear of failure led him to inaction. Instead of seeing an opportunity, he saw a trap. Instead of seeing generosity, he saw harshness. And because of that, he did nothing.

This is the danger of a wrong view of God. When we perceive Him as an unrelenting taskmaster, we shrink back—afraid to fail, hesitant to step out, reluctant to engage with what He has given us. We bury our talents—whether our time, resources, or gifts—assuming He is more interested in punishment than partnership. But Scripture reminds us:

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.” - 1 John 4:18

Faith and Trust Lead to Fruitfulness

In contrast, the first two servants acted in faith. They saw their master as someone worth serving, embracing their responsibility with joy. They took risks, multiplied what they had been given, and were met with their master’s praise:

“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 25:21

The master’s reward wasn’t just about productivity—it was an invitation into deeper joy. Their faithfulness wasn’t about money; it was about trust. They trusted their master’s goodness and acted boldly.

Many struggle with obedience because they see it as a burden rather than an opportunity. But the faithful servants understood something key: what they had been given actually belonged to their master, and stewarding it well was a privilege.

Jesus invites us to partner with Him in His work, not because He needs us, but because He delights in working through us. Paul describes this beautifully:

“For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.” - 1 Corinthians 3:9

We are not slaves cowering under a harsh master—we are co-laborers in His kingdom. When we understand this, our perspective on obedience changes. Giving, serving, and using our gifts for His glory are no longer seen as obligations but as privileges.

Living as Faithful Stewards

The real tragedy of the third servant is that he never truly knew his master. His false perception led to his inaction, and his master’s response is sobering:

“Throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” - Matthew 25:30

This warning isn’t just about stewardship—it’s about our hearts. If we live in fear and refuse to trust God, we will miss out on the joy of His kingdom. In fact, I would venture to say that when some meet Jesus, they may not hear, “I never knew you,” but rather, “You never knew Me.”

But if we truly know Him, we will step forward in faith, eager to invest our lives in His work.

God invites us to see Him as He truly is—loving, generous, and trustworthy. When we do, we won’t shrink back in fear—we will step forward in faith. Like the faithful servants in the parable, we will hear His words of joy:

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Let’s live as stewards who know our Master—trusting in His goodness and investing in His kingdom with boldness and joy.

On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:

• My daughter has $20,000 in credit card debt across five cards. With her husband incarcerated, she's struggling to make the $800 monthly minimum payments. I'm looking for a way to help her consolidate the debt and get a lower interest rate so she can start paying it down.
• We've been offered a good price to sell our 14-year-old business, but I'm concerned about the capital gains taxes we'll owe. Besides investing in our IRAs, are there any other strategies we can use to reduce the taxes we'll have to pay on the sale?

Resources Mentioned:

• Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s New Quarterly Magazine
• The Knowledge of the Holy: The Attributes of God: Their Meaning in the Christian Life by A.W. Tozer
• Cross International
• Christian Credit Counselors
• National Christian Foundation (NCF)
• Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money (Pre-Order)
• Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety
• Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool
• Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)
• FaithFi App

Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God’s resources.

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