## Doing Your Best

## Matthew 25:14-30

When Jesus uses parables, he is teaching lessons out of life. The lessons of life are the ones we need to know. Especially, those that Jesus taught us in His Word. Tonight, we look at the lesson of giving our best.

The Bible says nothing of this earth will last forever.

- Cars get old
- Houses deteriorate
- Clothes, etc
- But, we don't need Bible to know that!
- WE DO need the Bible to learn this important lesson: Don't make earthly things most important.

(MAT 6:19) "LAY NOT UP FOR YOURSELVES TREASURES UPON EARTH, WHERE MOTH AND RUST DOTH CORRUPT, AND WHERE THIEVES BREAK THROUGH AND STEAL:"

The Bible says, death inevitable

- We don't need the Bible to know that.
- But we do need the Bible to learn this lesson: We must prepare to die.

(AMOS 4:12) "THEREFORE THUS WILL I DO UNTO THEE, O ISRAEL: AND BECAUSE I WILL DO THIS UNTO THEE, PREPARE TO MEET THY GOD, O ISRAEL."

Contrary to the Declaration of Independence, God didn't create all men equal. (unique but not equal). There is a great Bible lesson to be learned from this truth as well. A lesson that will help us in our Christian life. Because we are not all created equal.

I. Our Best Is Good Enough...no matter how little it is!

Read: Matthew 25:14-23

A. Five & two talents are not equal gifts!

1. And that's how God works.

2. I am not Billy Graham or Charles Stanley.

3. I am me, and I must work with what God has given to ME.

a. I may never have the kind of ministries that those men have.

b. But, God doesn't expect me to.

c. All he expects from me is MY BEST.

B. Look at the Scriptures....vs 20-23.

1. The five talent man produced five talents, and the two produced two.

2. Each did his best with what God gave him.

3. Look at God's attitude, He gives them the same reward!

4. TRUTH: Our best good enough, no matter how little it is.

C. If we learn this, it will revolutionize our Christian life.

1. God gives some more ability than others.

2. Many folks go through life miserable and unsatisfied.

3. They are always comparing themselves with others who have more or who do more.

4. The Bible says that's not wise.

(2 COR 10:12) "FOR WE DARE NOT MAKE OURSELVES OF THE NUMBER, OR COMPARE OURSELVES WITH SOME THAT COMMEND THEMSELVES: BUT THEY MEASURING THEMSELVES BY THEMSELVES, AND COMPARING THEMSELVES AMONG THEMSELVES, ARE NOT WISE."

5. Listen, God will not judge us by someone else's ability, but by our own.

6. The question is not 'Are we doing as good as brother so & so?'

7. But, 'Are we doing our best with what God has given us?'

8. Note the example of the poor widow in Mark 12:41-44

a. Her best was much less than others.

b. But Jesus said she gave more than any.

c. Because she gave her best.

d. Our best is good enough, no matter how little it may be.

II. Anything Less Than Our Best Is Not Good Enough...No Matter How Great It Is!

Read: Mt. 25:24-25

A. His problem: He didn't see the Lord as fair.

1. He no doubt felt he had been slighted.

2. Since he didn't get five, then didn't do anything, and justified himself with excuses.

3. God doesn't accept excuses from us whether we are rich or poor!

B. Consider Annanias and Sapphira.

Read: Acts 4:32--5:4

1. They were wealthy landowners, and probably gave more than most others.

2. But they held back, and gave less than their best.

a. Anything less than our best is not good enough.

b. In fact, it is lying to God.

3. Anything less than best in whatever area of our lives you want to consider.

a. S.S. teachers and workers.

b. Junior church workers.

c. Choir members.

d. Teens in youth department.

e. All of us in our giving, praying, or service.

When God looked down on a lost and condemned world, He gave us his best. His only begotten Son. Surely I can give my best to Him. Will I? Will you?