Jesus used a bold story about a king and his servants to teach a lesson about faithful service. This story praised the servants who went all out to serve their master—the master even rewarded them with more responsibilities. This story also cautioned against playing it too safe, as it told of the king rebuking the “worthless servant” who was too afraid to risk anything.

• Jewish listeners would immediately have seen a story about kings and servants as an image of God’s relationship to Israel. God had given Israel a task – to show God’s glory and love to all nations. How has God gifted you? In what ways do those gifts point to the task God has given you? Are you ever tempted to play it safe and keep your gifts in a “scarf,” rather than using them actively to do God’s bidding in the world?
• Jesus knew exactly what was going to happen when he went to Jerusalem. He was embodying God’s kingdom, and that meant a clash with the political and religious leaders. He knew the risk, but he didn’t play it safe. What does it look like if you play it safe with your faith? What does it look like to trust God and take risks? Where might God be calling you take a risk for God’s sake today?