"The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!" Mathew 25:20-21

We often think of “bags of gold” in this parable as skills and talents, and yes, that is part of it. But in this scripture, it represents more than that. The “bags of gold” represent abilities, gifts, callings, relationships, ministries, and resources entrusted by the Master—and this still holds true for us today.  

In this parable, the master gave according to the servant's ability. This reminds us that God does not give us more than what He has prepared us for. He doesn’t overwhelm us, but He does invite us to step out in faith. The servant with two bags still had to leap in trust, believing that investing what was entrusted to him would bear fruit. The Master’s joy wasn’t in how much he returned, but in his faithfulness.

The man was given 5 bags of gold, invested it, and came back with 10 to give to His master.

Likewise, today God gives us many gifts and resources; how we invest them will determine the fruit we bear for His Kingdom, for others, for our families, and our communities. God give us our "bag of gold" to multiply it, to be fruitful. Not to keep it for ourselves or to hide it for fear of losing it.  

God does not call us to a life of fear because He promises never to leave us. If we are hiding in fear, then we are not trusting in God. 

"For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them." — Matthew 25:29

Abundance is a gift, too! And we are to steward that well and use it to bear fruit.

This is not prosperity gospel!—it’s about trusting God’s faithfulness and measuring abundance not in dollars and cents, but in the fruit of the Spirit that He graciously produces in us.

That abundance may look like a deeper purpose, greater fulfillment, closeness with Him, or eternal reward. Sometimes God may even entrust financial blessing—but as a resource to be stewarded wisely for His Kingdom. And in it all, He invites us to share in His joy.

So what are your “bags of gold”?

• Maybe it’s your ability to teach or encourage.
• Maybe it’s your time with your children.
• Maybe it’s a relationship you’ve been praying over.
• Maybe it’s your business, your finances, or your testimony of salvation.
• Maybe it’s a calling to shepherd, teach, or evangelize.

Whatever it is, God has equipped and entrusted you to use it for His glory.

The only question is: will you trust Him, take the leap of faith, and invest it? Or will you hide it in fear?

Prayer:
Lord, thank You for entrusting me with gifts and opportunities. Help me to recognize them, invest them with courage, and multiply them for Your kingdom. May I one day hear You say, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Come and share in Your Master’s joy.” Amen.

✨ Looking for clarity and wisdom to invest what God has given you?

Get connected. I’d love to walk alongside you and help you discover the way to bear fruit and experience the fullness of all that God has in store for you.