Have you ever started looking for something in a storage space and found something else even better than what you were looking for?  That emotion is one of the joys of Bible study.   I can’t believe that I get paid to do this.  What a privilege.  I have to pinch myself every now and then to see if I am dreaming.  I went to our text for Sunday (Matthew 25:14-30), looking for things that I knew were there.  I knew there were truths about the Kingdom.  I knew there was a big emphasis on faithfulness.  I knew there was a “politically incorrect” statement indicating that those who waste lose more and those who invest gain more.  I knew the words, “well done good and faithful servant” were found in the text as well.  But, one word caused conviction, sadness and joy all in one moment.  I wasn’t looking for it.  It’s a simple word.  I’ve read it dozens of times.  The Greek word is “ide,” it is often translated “look” or “see” but in some places it is translated, “behold.”  The word is in v.20 where the man who had received five talents excitedly gives his stewardship report.  Mere words on a page cannot convey the tone but there is clearly some giddy joy going on in the story.  The man says, “Behold, I have gained…”  What really struck me was the man’s motive.  He did his work for the Master’s pleasure because he was sure the Master would be pleased!  Just typing these words is bringing me great joy.  I wasn’t looking for that but when I found it I was stunned.  How often have I done my work for me?  How often have I done my work for mere duty?  How often have I done my work without thought of Him?  What if the motive for my work, life and living was simply to please the Master because I know He will be pleased?!  If I allow myself to think that God is aloof, that He doesn’t care, that He is a “hard boss,” or any other crazy idea, I will surely start to hide the assets.  I’ve had more than one day when I have been looking for the shovel!  Sometimes I want to hide my life and be done with this work!  But, burying my life for safe keeping is not the purpose of my life.  God has given us life to invest.  What will we bring on the day of accounting?  Are we really going to say, “Well I just buried what you gave me, here it is?”  OR, are we going to say, “Wow God, you have given me life and I invested it in prescribed ways; I can’t wait to show you what I’ve done with it!?”  Only those who believe the Master can be pleased will do the latter…and believe Jesus, you don’t want to be in the camp of the former.