Stewardship....

FAITH:

Matthew 25:14-30

14 "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who was going to another place for a visit. Before he left, he called for his servants and told them to take care of his things while he was gone. 15 He gave one servant five bags of gold, another servant two bags of gold, and a third servant one bag of gold, to each one as much as he could handle. Then he left.16 The servant who got five bags went quickly to invest the money and earned five more bags.17 In the same way, the servant who had two bags invested them and earned two more. 18 But the servant who got one bag went out and dug a hole in the ground and hid the master's money.

19 "After a long time the master came home and asked the servants what they did with his money. 20 The servant who was given five bags of gold brought five more bags to the master and said, 'Master, you trusted me to care for five bags of gold, so I used your five bags to earn five more.' 21 The master answered, 'You did well. You are a good and loyal servant. Because you were loyal with small things, I will let you care for much greater things. Come and share my joy with me.'

22 "Then the servant who had been given two bags of gold came to the master and said, 'Master, you gave me two bags of gold to care for, so I used your two bags to earn two more.' 23 The master answered, 'You did well. You are a good and loyal servant. Because you were loyal with small things, I will let you care for much greater things. Come and share my joy with me.'

24 "Then the servant who had been given one bag of gold came to the master and said, 'Master, I knew that you were a hard man. You harvest things you did not plant. You gather crops where you did not sow any seed. 25 So I was afraid and went and hid your money in the ground. Here is your bag of gold.'26 The master answered, 'You are a wicked and lazy servant! You say you knew that I harvest things I did not plant and that I gather crops where I did not sow any seed. 27 So you should have put my gold in the bank. Then, when I came home, I would have received my gold back with interest.'

28 "So the master told his other servants, 'Take the bag of gold from that servant and give it to the servant who has ten bags of gold. 29 Those who have much will get more, and they will have much more than they need. But those who do not have much will have everything taken away from them.' 30 Then the master said, 'Throw that useless servant outside, into the darkness where people will cry and grind their teeth with pain.'

Reading this parable, we are struck by the serious consequences of failing to produce Kingdom fruit. But there’s something I want to particularly point out. Many of the great heroes of the faith – people like Moses and David, were not given great responsibilities immediately. Each of these men first served as a lowly shepherd, tending sheep. Having tested them first in this humble vocation, God then felt confident to elevate them to positions of greatness – but it all started with a small step!

God is testing his saints in the little things – as we pass our early tests, the Lord will promote us to greater things. Don’t despise the day of small things – a single talent invested wisely can produce a bountiful harvest! And remember that it begins with faithful stewardship of whatever gift or talent that God has allocated to you.

Let’s be wise stewards in these last days, using our divinely given abilities for His glory and purposes so that we can produce an abundant return on the Lord’s investment in our lives. Let’s heed the warning and the encouragement that Jesus gives us in this parable, multiplying, rather than hiding our talent. Amen!

FRIENDS:

Generous God, I give thanks to you for the gifts you have given me. My life, my family, my friends, time, talents and material possessions. All that I have comes from you. Help me to remember this and rejoice in your goodness. Walk with me, and help me on my spiritual journey, so that I may constantly renew my relationship with you. Renew in me your Spirit and give me the strength and courage to become a better follower of Jesus. i will give glory to you. In Jesus' name, Amen.

DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE
21. JOHN 6:41-59; JAMES 3:13-22; SONG OF S. 5; JEREMIAH 52
22. JOHN 6:60-71; JAMES 4:1-11; SONG OF S. 6; LAM. 1

FOOD:

Lower Fat Chicken Scaloppine With Lemon Glaze
This is a wonderful lower-fat restaurant-quality dish that is easy to make, I also like to add in a few tablespoons of capers and cook with the lemon glaze if you are a lover of capers then add them in as it really adds to the flavour of this dish --- this lemon sauce is not a heavy creamy sauce which is what makes this dish lower in fat, it is more like a glaze that soaks into the chicken, and I would strongly suggest to double or even triple the glaze I most always do, and please be certain to use only dry breadcrumbs as fresh will not stick to the chicken as well --- this is *very* good! ...makes enough for 4

* 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (pounded to about 1/3-inch thickness)
* 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
* 1 large egg (you may need two)
* 1 cup dry breadcrumbs
* 1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning (or to taste)
* 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
* 1/4-1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt
* 1-2 tablespoon olive oil (for frying)
Lemon glaze
* 1/4 cup chicken broth
* 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
* 1/4 teaspoon salt (can use more to taste)
* 4-5 thin lemon slices
* fresh parsley, chopped (to taste)

1. In a small bowl or shallow dish whisk together mustard and eggs; set aside.
2. Combine the dry bread crumbs with poultry seasoning, garlic powder and seasoning salt; spread on a piece of waxed paper.
3. Dip the breasts firstly in egg/mustard mixture (shake off any excess egg) then coat well with the crumb mixture, pressing downs with hands to adhear the crumbs to the breast.
4. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
5. Add in the chicken and cook for about 5 minutes on each side, or until it is no longer pink inside; remove and transfer to a plate to keep warm.
6. For the glaze; in the same skillet add in the broth, lemon juice and 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste, if using capers add in now) bring to a boil scraping any brown bits from the pan.
7. Add in lemon slices and parsley; mix to combine for about 1 minute.
8. Spoon the glaze/sauce over chicken

FUN: