"Growing Our Gift"

Our scripture today is from Matthew, chapter 25 verses 14-25 from the Common English Bible.

14 “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who was leaving on a trip. He called his servants and handed his possessions over to them. 15 To one he gave five valuable coins, and to another he gave two, and to another he gave one. He gave to each servant according to that servant's ability. Then he left on his journey. 16 “After the man left, the servant who had five valuable coins took them and went to work doing business with them. He gained five more. 17 In the same way, the one who had two valuable coins gained two more. 18 But the servant who had received the one valuable coin dug a hole in the ground and buried his master's money. 19 “Now after a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The one who had received five valuable coins came forward with five additional coins. He said, ‘Master, you gave me five valuable coins. Look, I've gained five more.' 21 “His master replied, ‘Excellent! You are a good and faithful servant! You've been faithful over a little. I'll put you in charge of much. Come, celebrate with me.' 22 “The second servant also came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two valuable coins. Look, I've gained two more.' 23 “His master replied, ‘Well done! You are a good and faithful servant. You've been faithful over a little. I'll put you in charge of much. Come, celebrate with me.' 24 “Now the one who had received one valuable coin came and said, ‘Master, I knew that you are a hard man. You harvest grain where you haven't sown. You gather crops where you haven't spread seed. 25 So I was afraid. And I hid my valuable coin in the ground. Here, you have what's yours.'

Leader: This is the word of God for a people of God.

All: Thanks be to God.