14 Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. 15 He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip.
16 The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more. 17 The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more. 18 But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money.
19 After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money. 20 The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of silver came forward with five more and said, "Master, you gave me five bags of silver to invest, and I have earned five more."
21 The master was full of praise. "Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!"
22 The servant who had received the two bags of silver came forward and said, "Master, you gave me two bags of silver to invest, and I have earned two more."
23 The master said, "Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!"
24 Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, "Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate. 25 I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back."
26 But the master replied, "You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn’t plant and gathered crops I didn’t cultivate, 27 why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it."
28 Then he ordered, "Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver. 29 To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. 30 Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
S - Scripture
21 The master was full of praise. "Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!"
O - Observation
This is a parable about risk and stewardship.
Life has an element of risk to it. Kierkegaard wrote: To risk is to lose one's footing momentarily. Not to risk is to lose oneself. The first two servants risked what was given to them and were rewarded. The final servant didn't risk anything and ended up losing everything.
Stewardship is being responsible and resourceful with what God has temporarily given us: kids, financial resources, talents, etc... The first two servants were good stewards and were rewarded. The final servant was a poor steward and ended up losing everything.
A - Application
The dual application has to do with risk and stewardship. Risk doesn't mean carelessness. Risk means choosing faith over fear. In my life I will value safetly and security less and faithfulness and adventure more. This parable is also an excellent reminder that all goods are God's goods. We are only stewards. I will treat all my possessions, people, and talents as gifts from God that are resources to implement God's vision in the world.
P - Prayer
Lord, help me to be a risk-taker. Let me put me comfort and security aside so that I can do my small part in partnering with you in doing ministry to the world. Keep reminding me that everything I have and am is yours. At the end of the day may those words be said by you of me: "Well done, my good and faithful servant." Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment