I had to check this verse since it comes after a parable of the master and the servnant. Which we usually interpret in a capitalist framework as being about productivity. Today I was presenting a paper at the national research conference. And was very mindful that although my presentation went well - it was based on the help and friendship of a whole community of people. I believe this saying is about dependence and gratitude and not just about raising the bar. To be driven to produce even more.

Today I read this verse in a very different light to that which I’ve read it in the past. Yes, much is expected of me, because I have been given much, but the verse does not say that nothing is expected of those to whom only a little has been given. Each of us wants to give something back. So my “do it” today is that I’m going to encourage those who think that they have nothing to give or who, for reasons of illness, frailty, youth, or disability miss the opportunity of having things expected of them. Sometimes expectations are a nuisance, but sometimes they raise us up to meet them!

We’ve been looking at the wondrous return God promises us on our heavenward investment.  Now Jesus reminds us forcefully that there are two sides to this.  Heaven and Earth.  God expects a high return, too, on his earthward investment.
We are highly leveraged.  We have no equity in this venture.  The talents we invest are borrowed.  Whatever is “ours” is lent us by God. 
“Yours, Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the splendour, and the majesty; for everything in heaven and on earth is yours.  All things come from you, and of your own do we give you.”

To act justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.  (Micah 6:8)

Easy to quote, but how much do I put it into practice, I ask myself???

This year’s Challenge has really got me thinking - thanks to all who have been involved in setting it up.  I have so appreciated the daily verses and comments.  As they say, “it’s good to talk”.

I felt a bit stressed and too busy this morning. Then I read the verse. God gave me a large family to rear. Although they are older now they still keep me very busy (grandchildren too.)Now I know why more is demanded of me. That helps and would be a good verse for families with young children.

This verse fits very wel with a conversation I’ve been having with varous church members over recent weeks. I have started to spread myself too thin. God has given me a variety of skills, I’m fortunate to live in a wealthy society where I don’t spend every waking hour trying to provide food and shelter for my family, so I have both time and money to give. I have to listen to God to know where he wants my energy to go. the answer is simple. Everything should be God centred. God requires much of me. It is a reason to rejoice that I can respond.

I have been blessed with seven children,all grown up.My daughter is going through a nervous breakdown and i spend hours a day talking and listening with her.Today i felt like my back was breaking with the burden of the whole families troubles(my husband is very high maintenance too !)and then two minutes ago i read this verse and realised that i have so much and am so lucky,God has entrusted the care of all these people to me and i have much work to do.I needed to read that today,it was as if he was encouraging me to go on.

Some of the poorest people in the world, by our standards, can demonstrate their faith practically in a way that puts us to shame. In other words the problem confronting contemporary society is poverty of spirit.

In the preceding verse of this parable the servant who ‘knows his master’s will’ and doesnt follow will be punished, and the servant who ‘does not know’ and doesnt follow will be punished, but less harshly.
If you know Gods will for you more has been entrusted to you, I see this as a primarily spiritual challenge.
Materially, I have little, but I still feel this verse applies to me, I will be doing todays questions—-

Lord, I still have got talents I have buried in the ground. Give me the courage to dig them up and put them to work. I reaalise I shall have to work harder: where shall I find the time? It’s all possible with you, Lord; I’ll start digging now!

This verse tends to make me almost envious of the poor, because less will be expected from them if they have to devote most of what they have to simply survive.

I think most of us will fall short of God’s expectations when we assess the use of our gifts and resources.  We need to invite God into our lives through daily prayer in order to let Him guide us, and then see how fruitful our actions can be.

We, kingdom people, have been given so much.  We have a heavenly father who loves us so much that he welcomes sinners and comes running towards us, arms outstretched to welcome us home. As much has been given to us, much is required of us.  We are to be God’s hands, his feet and his eyes in the world, working to ensure that his kingdom is a reality here on earth as it is in heaven. It means working to love our fellow human beings even when we are not loved in return, every hour of every day. Much is demanded of us, but this demand comes in the knowledge that God loves us and never leaves us.