The Daily Fountain Daily Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 3 November 2019 – Fear Enslaves

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TOPIC: Fear Enslaves

READ: Luke 19:11-27 (NKJV)

11 Now as they heard these things, He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately. Therefore He said:

12 “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return.

13 So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business till I come.’

14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We will not have this man to reign over us.’

15 “And so it was that when he returned, having received the kingdom, he then commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.

16 Then came the first, saying, ‘Master, your mina has earned ten minas.’

17 And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.’

18 And the second came, saying, ‘Master, your mina has earned five minas.’

19 Likewise he said to him, ‘You also be over five cities.’

20 “Then another came, saying, ‘Master, here is your mina, which I have kept put away in a handkerchief.

21 For I feared you, because you are an austere man. You collect what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’

22 And he said to him, ‘Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant. You knew that I was an austere man, collecting what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow.

23 Why then did you not put my money in the bank, that at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’

24 “And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to him who has ten minas.’
25 (But they said to him, ‘Master, he has ten minas.’)

26 ‘For I say to you, that to everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.

27 But bring here those enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, and slay them before me.’ ”

THE MESSAGE:

Our text narrates the story of the noble man who distributed minas to his servants with a definite instruction that they should do business till I come (verse 13). The first two servants got the challenge, worked diligently against all odds to ensure that they become productive with what they were given. The last, for fear of failure, fear of the austere master (harsh), kept the mina and became unproductive. At the return of the master, he was condemned and the mina taken away from him. The Scripture is right, the fear of man brings a snare, but whosoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe. (Proverbs 29: 25).

The fundamental problem of the failed servant was the fear of failure and consequent punishment from his master. He never saw his God-given ability to succeed. The master equipped him for success but fear robbed him of it. The same is true of many Christians today. Fear of losing admission, contract, employment or failure in business has made many to fail to take bold steps. They see man as the determinant of their future and not God.

Did you know that God has equipped you for greatness in life? Refuse to be ensnared by fear. Your five loaves of bread and two fish (insignificant to feed a crowd) may be the needed ingredient God will use to bless many people. Arise today, pray and do business for the Lord with what you have.

PRAYER: Thou Help of the helpless, give me grace not to be slothful, but to fulfil my God-given destiny in the land of the living, in Jesus name I pray. Amen.