(Jesus said) “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.'”

Have you ever wondered about the different amounts in this story? The master gives one servant five talents, another two, and yet another just one. The servants, of course, are us, and the master is Jesus. He has left us to invest everything He has given us;—our gifts and talents, our blessings, and most of all, the Gospel message of His salvation. When Jesus comes back, He will settle accounts with us.

So far, so good. But it’s clear that we servants aren’t all starting with the same amount of assets, either in the parable or in real life. Some of us are born with good health and high intelligence, in loving families in safe communities. Some of us have exactly the opposite. Is that fair?

It’s easy to get cranky with God and say, “No, it’s not fair. So-and-so has more than me. I am angry, and I refuse to do my job as a servant.”

But if we do that, we are missing the point of the story. Look again. The first two servants do exactly the same thing: they put the money to work and they make a profit. Each has a different size profit, of course, as you’d expect. But when the master comes back, his joy is identical. He says exactly the same thing to both of them: “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.”

This is how it is for us as well. It doesn’t matter if we are the apostle Paul, or the poorest, sickest, most disadvantaged creatures on earth. In God’s eyes, what we have is a little, no more. What matters is our faithfulness to the Savior who died and rose for us. And what we have to look forward to;—ah, now that will be wonderful! When Jesus returns, He will set us over much, and we will enter into Jesus’ own joy. That is His plan for every single one of us.

This Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.

Fellowship for Sunday, November 15 – Comfort Food 

Join us after service for a cozy time of connection and community!

Bring your favorite comfort food—something warm, nostalgic, or meaningful—and come ready to share a meal together. Whether it’s mac & cheese, a family casserole, or your go-to dessert, we’d love to enjoy it with you.

Let’s gather with grateful hearts, good food, and even better fellowship.

Jesus Connections – Thankful for What God Has Taught Us

This Sunday in Jesus Connections, we’re reflecting on all the wonderful things God has taught us about faith, love, forgiveness, obedience, and trusting Him. We’ll celebrate how each lesson helps us grow closer to Jesus and learn to live out His love in our everyday lives!

🌱 Learning His Truth. Growing in Faith. Living His Love!

Bible Study: Martin Luther’s 95 Theses

What was Luther really saying when he posted his 95 Theses? Join us for a Bible study exploring Martin Luther’s 95 Theses, finding the biblical truths that shaped Luther’s teaching on repentance, forgiveness, grace, faith, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Together we’ll open the Scriptures, examine Luther’s words, and discover why the Reformation was ultimately about more than Luther—it was about recovering the treasure of the Church: the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Come learn, ask questions, and rediscover the treasure of the Gospel!

Sunday @ 10:45 a.m., following fellowship!

Men of St. Mark! 

If your week runs on coffee, bacon, and brotherly encouragement, we’ve got good news.

Join us for men’s breakfast featuring:

Food that tastes better than it is good for you.

Coffee strong enough to forgive your sins. (Not even Close!)

Conversation ranging from Scripture to sports to “remember when…”

Fellowship without singing solos or being volunteered for anything. (Probably)

Come hungry, leave encouraged. No RSVP required - but pants are!

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