MOMENT OF ENCOUNTER DEVOTIONAL
By Prophet Dr. Abiodun Adesida
TOPIC: GRACE WASTAGE IS AN ACT OF OPEN REBELLION
TEXT: Matthew 25:14–30
OPENING SCRIPTURE
«“But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money... His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant...”
— Matthew 25:18, 26 (KJV)»
INTRODUCTION: GOD IS NOT RUNNING A MUSEUM FOR BURIED TALENTS
Some people can preserve anything. They preserve old clothes, old phones, old receipts... and unfortunately, they have also preserved the grace of God exactly the way they received it—unused!
The third servant in Jesus' parable deserves an award. Not for faithfulness, but for becoming the first official manager of the "National Museum of Buried Talents."
Imagine Heaven asking,
"What did you do with the gift I gave you?"
And you proudly reply,
"Lord, I kept it safe. It has never been used!"
That is like buying a brand-new Bible and refusing to read it so that it will remain clean.
Beloved, God did not anoint you to become a spiritual warehouse. He anointed you to become a spiritual powerhouse.
Grace was never designed for storage.
Grace was designed for service.
Grace unused is grace insulted.
Many people think rebellion is only witchcraft, idolatry, or open sin. But Jesus reveals another dangerous form of rebellion, doing absolutely nothing with what God entrusted to you.
Heaven is not impressed by what you possess.
Heaven celebrates what you produce.
1. GOD DIDN'T GIVE YOU GRACE BY MISTAKE (v.15)
The Bible says the master gave "to every man according to his several ability."
God wasn't confused when He called you.
He knew your village.
He knew your family.
He knew your weaknesses.
He knew your bank account.
He even knew those relatives who discourage every dream.
Yet He still said,
"You are My choice."
Meanwhile, some believers have become professional excuse manufacturers.
"Lord, I am too young."
Another says,
"I am too old."
One says,
"I don't have money."
Another says,
"If I had money, I would serve God."
Interestingly, those who say they are too young eventually become too old—and still never start!
Remember Moses?
At eighty years old he was saying,
"Lord, send somebody else."
God replied in effect,
"No. I already sent the application to you."
Stop arguing with Heaven. Heaven has already employed you.
2. THE MOST DANGEROUS SIN IS SOMETIMES DOING NOTHING (vv.18–19)
Notice something shocking.
The servant never committed adultery.
He never stole.
He never murdered anyone.
His greatest crime?
He simply did nothing.
He buried potential.
Some Christians have buried their gifts under beautiful pillows called:
- "Next year."
- "When things improve."
- "When people appreciate me."
- "When I finish this."
- "When I become rich."
One day "Tomorrow" held a meeting.
Everyone attended...
Except "Today."
Beloved, God blesses action—not intention.
The cemetery is full of books never written...
Songs never sung...
Churches never planted...
Businesses never started...
Souls never won...
Not because people lacked grace.
But because they kept postponing obedience.
3. EXCUSES ARE REBELLION WEARING A SUIT (vv.24–25)
Listen to the servant:
"I knew you were a hard man..."
How convenient!
Instead of accepting responsibility, he blamed the Master.
Human beings are experts at this game.
Adam blamed Eve.
Eve blamed the serpent.
Today we blame:
The economy.
Our parents.
Our pastor.
Our spouse.
Our childhood.
Our village.
Even the weather can become an excuse!
Some people have so many excuses that if excuses were shares on the stock market, they would own the company.
Beloved,
Excuses never impress God.
They only delay destiny.
Faith says,
"Lord, I don't have enough... but I will start."
Rebellion says,
"Lord, because I don't have enough... I won't move."
4. GRACE THAT IS BURIED WILL EVENTUALLY BE TRANSFERRED (vv.28–30)
The Master said,
"Take the talent from him."
That statement should make every believer tremble.
God is patient.
But He is also purposeful.
If one person continually refuses to carry the assignment, Heaven simply gives it to another willing vessel.
Have you noticed that sometimes someone appears suddenly and begins doing exactly what another person delayed for years?
It is not because God loves them more.
It is because availability attracts responsibility.
Don't become a spectator watching another person fulfill the assignment Heaven originally discussed with you.
That is one of life's greatest tragedies.
HEAVEN IS NOT MOCKING YOU—HEAVEN IS CALLING YOU
Perhaps you have wasted years.
Perhaps fear imprisoned you.
Perhaps criticism silenced you.
Perhaps failure discouraged you.
The beautiful news is this:
Peter failed.
Jonah ran away.
John Mark quit.
Yet God restored them all.
The God of the second chance is still writing restoration stories.
Today can become your new beginning.
Dust off that vision.
Open that notebook.
Write that book.
Start that ministry.
Launch that business.
Share the Gospel.
Teach that class.
Pray again.
Dream again.
Serve again.
Grace grows when it is used.
LIFE APPLICATION
IN MINISTRY
Stop waiting for applause. Heaven called you—not the crowd. The scars you survived may become someone else's survival manual.
IN MARRIAGE
Use the grace to forgive, love, pray, and restore peace. Don't bury it beneath pride.
IN BUSINESS AND CAREER
That idea disturbing your heart may be God's investment in your future. Stop hiding it.
IN EVANGELISM
Someone's salvation may be waiting on your testimony.
IN EDUCATION
God did not give you intelligence merely to pass examinations but to influence generations.
PRAYER
Father,
Forgive me for every gift I buried, every opportunity I ignored, every assignment I postponed, and every excuse I presented before You.
Today I reject fear, laziness, procrastination, and rebellion.
Let Your fire burn afresh within me.
Revive every sleeping gift.
Restore every wasted year.
Give me courage to obey immediately.
I will no longer bury the grace You have entrusted to me.
From today, I will multiply it for Your glory.
In Jesus' mighty name.
Amen.
PROPHETIC CHARGE
Child of God,
I hear the Spirit saying,
"Come out of the grave of excuses!"
Every buried vision shall breathe again.
Every forgotten assignment shall receive fresh fire.
Every sleeping gift shall awaken.
Every delayed destiny shall recover speed.
I decree that where fear once ruled, faith shall arise.
Where procrastination sat on the throne, diligence shall take over.
You shall no longer watch others fulfill what God ordained for you.
The grace upon your life shall multiply.
Your calling shall announce itself.
Your generation shall hear your voice.
Your labor shall not be wasted.
You will not die with your assignment still buried.
You shall finish your race with joy.
In Jesus' mighty name. Amen.
Your Brother,
Prophet Dr. Abiodun Adesida
CAC IBUDO ONA ABAYỌ
cacsolutioncenter@outlook.com
07007002462