#soap # Matthew 25 ## Title: Be Proud of Who God Has Made You To Be ## Scripture: (Matthew 25:25) “so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’” (NET) ## Observation: Abraham Lincoln said, “Whatever you are, be a good one.” Martin Luther King, Jr. echoed this statement when he was once talking about being the best you can be, whoever that may be. He said there should be a plaque outside your door that says, “Here be the best street sweeper in the entire world.” The point is whoever you are wherever you are, always be the best God-honoring version of who you are. In this passage, the one who had received the least was also the most foolish. He did not honor what the Lord gave him and suffered the consequences. He said he was afraid to lose the money so he hid it. I can imagine that the master would have had more mercy over someone who did the best he could and came up empty rather than on someone who did nothing and also came up empty. I have often said I want to be the hardest-working “one bag” guy you’ve ever met. One day when I get to Heaven, my bag is going to be ripped, stained, burned, and torn. But, I hope to have one more bag ready to give my King. Let those with ten and those with five gain their increases. I’m focused on doubling my one bag with honor. ## Application: Take what God has put in your hand to do the best you can with it today. ## Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, for trusting us with what You have given us today.