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Becoming a Partner with God!
Matthew 25:19-21: 'After a long absence, the master of those three servants came back and settled up with them. The one given five thousand dollars showed him how he had doubled his investment. His master commended him: "Good work! You did your job well. From now on be my partner."' (The Message)
 This is great news: God isn't just looking for servants, he's looking for partners! According to Jesus, God is like the master in this story. He invests great potential in those who work in his household, or under his covering, and then he gives them the exciting opportunity to see this grow and develop. He doesn't stand watching over their shoulders, waiting for them to fail. He trusts them implicitly, and expects them to see increase. When we invest what God has placed within us, despite the ever present risk of failure, we will see growth, we will look back over time and see that we've come a long way since we started out. We will come to the end our lives and say, 'Look, Lord, I did big things with the gift you gave me. I've really made a profit for you!' That's what it means to be a partner and not just a servant. Partners want to make a profit -- servants don't necessarily care that much. Partners want to bring honour to the company name, to open up new ventures and make a mark in new fields. Servants simply go through the routine of doing exactly what is before them -- and no more. God wants partners, people who will work with him and not just for him; people who will take every opportunity to extend God's Kingdom, his rule in the hearts and lives of men and women; people who will follow every path that leads to greater glory for their Lord. Partnership is so much better than mere servanthood. In a sense, though, we get to choose whether we'll simply live as servants, or become real partners in the work God is doing in the earth. If we put ourselves 'out there', maximizing our potential by stretching our gifts, we will receive a 'well done' from the Lord, and will be called his partners.
Prayer: 'Lord, I don't just want to be your servant, I want to live as your partner. I want to sow every gift and resource you've given me back into the growth of your Kingdom on this earth. Help me to prove faithful to your call.'
© 2003-2004 Mal Fletcher
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I think you asked the wrong question re climate change summit. The question is should it have been held? There are a lot more important issues they should have been discussing, e.g. people trafficking.
Jen, Australia
Hey, thanks for the great articles, it is a blessing to read you
Paul, Norway
Your article about Daniel in Babylon is spot on. As 21st Century Christians our challenge is to find appropriate forums to join the conversation & refrain from adopting a defensive posture.
Tom Rawls, United Kingdom
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