May 22, 2013

Jesus shared this parable: “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come’” (Luke 19:12-13).

What is a mina? According to the Concordia Self-Study Bible one talent is equal to 60 minas and a mina equals 100 drachmas. Each drachma was worth about a day’s wages. Thus the total amount was valued at between two and three year’s average wages and a tenth would be about three month’s wages.

Some of the servants invested it and came back to him with more money.  You probably remember how this parable continues: “The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.’ And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’ … Then another came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief;  for I was afraid of you He said to him, ‘I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’ And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas’” (Luke 19:16-24).

Here are a few questions we can all ponder: How are you doing handling the gifts God has given you? Are you trustworthy in very small matters with these gifts? Remember that our gifts from God don’t just include financial assets, but also include our families, jobs, and faith in Christ. What about your spouse, children, and grandchildren? Are you treating them with love and respect? Are you caring for them? And are you equipping them to know and love Jesus and be Gospel-motivated voices for Life?

My husband, Tjaden, and I thank God every day for our daughter, son-in-law, and three grandchildren. I remember a visit from Coreen some years ago. She brought along our youngest grandson, Luke—at the time he was two and half  years old. Seeing him run, jump, and play reminded us how blessed we were to have him in our lives. Luke was born prematurely. During the months my daughter was pregnant with him I learned more than ever before about the amazing development of infants in the womb as I followed it day by day and week by week. Did you know … 

  • A baby’s heart begins to beat at 18 days?

  • A baby’s brain coordinates movements at 43 days?

  • A baby’s organs are functioning at eight weeks?

  • A baby has permanent, individual fingerprints at nine weeks?

  • A baby, at 12 weeks, can smile, suck his thumb, and make a fist?

Babies are a gift from God—from the moment of conception. Every life is precious to God because He is the creator of life. (Jeremiah 1:5a)

More questions to think about: How are you doing at caring for your home and other gifts/assets that God has bestowed upon you? In today’s difficult economy increasing assets is not an easy task. We need God’s wisdom to be good stewards. Are you prayerfully asking for the Lord’s guidance to do what is best with all that He has given you? Are you putting the Lord’s work first in your giving and putting aside a portion to give to your church and other ministries like Lutherans For Life? (2 Corinthians 9:7)

Our jobs (inside and outside the home)—and opportunities to volunteer for ministries like Lutherans For Life—are also gifts from the Lord. Be thankful for your work and be trustworthy—and pray today for those who have lost jobs and are struggling financially.

What about your faith in Christ? Are you attending worship services, taking communion as often as possible, studying God’s Word and reading daily devotions? Are you telling others, at appropriate times, about God’s love and forgiveness, through Christ Jesus?

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:3-6).

I, too, thank God every time I remember the thousands of Lutherans For Life volunteers and supporters. Please know you are in my prayers. Your involvement is so important. Thank you for sharing your time, talents, and treasures as you share the Gospel and are voices for Life. Your partnership allows us to impact lives through God’s Word. Your prayers and financial gifts make this work possible! Thank you for remembering Lutherans For Life.