Today's Scripture:

Matthew 25:14-30 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 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!’ “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two 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!’ “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 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. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Read: Reflect on a story in your life that pertains to this scripture.
When I was in medical school, I was overwhelmed at the wonder of the human body and the incredible miracle of life itself. The human body is a divine tapestry - perfectly engineered with complex regulatory processes and organ systems which elegantly interact to keep our bodies healthy while battling with the constant threat of diseases, infections or cancer. How can you not believe in God when you look at the miracle of the human body? As in the parable, God has given every one of his servants one remarkable talent and that is the precious gift of life and the holy temple of the human body. How truly wonderful it is to be alive! But many people neglect and do not cherish this gift. I knew that my purpose as a physician was to become an instrument of God's healing grace and to help safeguard those gifts in my family, friends and patients. For physicians merely treat, only God can heal.

Reflect: What is this scripture telling you during this season?
In over thirty years of medical practice, I have seen patients with greatly differing levels of natural abilities, intelligence, physical attributes, financial resources, health and longevity. Some of God's children have been given more gifts than their neighbor, but we are all given the greatest gift - the divine spark of life. We should not squander or bury this precious gift of life but use our innate and unique talents to transform our life and improve the lives of others. So when Jesus returns, we will rejoice and make a good accounting of how we have faithfully used this opportunity to grow God's treasures and improve His worldly kingdom.

Respond: How is this scripture calling you to respond?
Our challenge for Lent is to personally grow and share God's goodness with others using the unique talents that we have been given. It is not to wonder or resent why we did not receive the same gifts as others. "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." Look deeply within yourself and you will discover the many treasures which perhaps have been buried and need to be shared with others. For what we do in life, echoes in eternity....

About Steve Mahoney:
I am a Board Certified Dermatologist who founded West Houston Dermatology Laser and Skin Care Center in 1993. My wife Suzy and I have two beautiful children - Jenna (22) and Sam (17). Jenna is a junior at Texas Tech. Jenna is a proud member of the Christian Sorority Sigma Phi Lambda. Sam is a junior at Strake Jesuit.
Sam attended Grace School for 11 years and has been an active participant in VBS and the youth mission program at Grace Church.