2.24.2026 - Scott Elgersma
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Matthew 25:14-34
We read today from Matthew 25:14-34. Read the passage now or at the end of this devotion. What can we learn today about the abundance that Christ offers to us?
Close your eyes, breathe deeply (expand your stomach, not your chest as you breathe), and for 60 seconds, remain before God in a posture of gratitude. Say “thank you” again and again. Allow your mind to wander into the places where God has shown you his blessing and give him thanks. Close that moment by taking and holding a slow deep breath, hold it, and slowly let it out.
I’d like to note a couple points in the parable that highlight the wealth of the master.
Just for arguments sake, let’s say that each bag of gold weighed a pound and a half. That’s about the weight of the average purse. A pound and a half of gold in today’s market is roughly $45,000 in value which is what the 3rd servant received. The 2nd servant received $90,000, and the 1st servant had the responsibility of $225,000. The master was not just offering chump change to his servants. And we should remark that he made this $360,000 investment simply to test his servants.
Another part of the parable that we should note is that the master had other sources of wealth. In his interaction with the lazy servant, we hear that the master received harvests from fields he did not own and gathered the crops from fields he had not planted. He clearly is a diversified investor who has flourishing interests in different markets.
Finally, the investment proceeds of the 1st two servants was returned to them. We know this because in verse 28, the master says in response to the laziness of the 3rd servant, “So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags.” In one statement, the master gifts another $45,000 to a servant to whom he has already given $450,000! Almost half a million dollars because of the generosity of the master.
The point is that the master is a man of great wealth. He has an abundance that equips him to generosity to his servants in anticipation of their carrying that generosity forward.
But the picture that Jesus paints with the parable pales when we look at the “wealth” of God.
In John 1:3, everything everywhere exists only through Christ. He is the source of all things.
The cattle on a thousand hills are the Lord’s (Psalm 50:10-11). Although this verse speaks to the sovereignty of God, it also tells us that the things that the world values are his possession.
Deuteronomy 28:12 speaks of the “storehouses of God” where he stores his “blessings”; the rain and the sources of provision for all humanity.
The wealth of the master in the parable is impressive. The “wealth” of our God is incomprehensible.
And through the generous gift of grace, we participate in all that is his.
Through grace, “We have been blessed with every spiritual blessing.” Ephesians 1:3
Through grace, “We have been raised up and are seated with Christ in heaven.” Ephesians 2:6
Through grace, “We have been predestined – determined by God – to be adopted as God’s child.” Ephesians 1:5
Through grace, “We are joint hears with Christ, sharing His inheritance with Him.” Romans 6:18
And the list goes on and on and on…
Everything is the Lord’s. Through his life-changing generosity to us, we are beneficiaries of all that is his.
That’s a story worth sharing to the world around us.
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord turn his smile towards you and give you his peace.
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
I love you all. Blessings.
Feel free to share this devotion with others.
Some questions out of today’s text and teaching.
How have you seen the “wealth” of Christ’s love in your life? What “abundance” has he given you to share with those around you?
To contact the author, please email: elgersma@therivercrc.com