Read Matt 25:14–30
Mat 25:24-30 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, (25) so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ (26) But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? (27) Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. (28) So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. (29) For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. (30) And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
In this second parable of a series, we find that many pastors and teachers have tortured this parable into works righteousness or even worse a parable about stewardship. But what this parable about is attitude. The attitude of Jesus and the attitude of people towards him.
What is Jesus’ attitude towards people? It is one of trust and love. He trust and loves his disciples so he gives them vocations to do in this world each according to their faith and ability. Believe it or not while he praises those who double what he has given them, the bigger praise is that they were faithful in what he had given them.
Now what about this servant who buried the talent (a talent is a measure of money)? What is his attitude towards the master (Jesus)? “Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed,…” Do you see? Do you see the bad attitude of the servant? He does not love his master. He does not trust the master. He is called a wicked because he does love and trust the master. He is lazy because he acts on his fear and does not even do what would minimally be expected. He could have at the very least went and bought a bunch of lottery tickets or gone to casino and placed it on black. If he had done that he would have demonstrated his faith and trust in the master (Jesus). So what is your attitude towards Jesus? Is he some cruel taskmaster who keeps a record of wrongs and punishes and rewards people on their results? Or is Jesus the kind of master who would give up his life for his servants? Is Jesus the kind of God who is merciful, kind, forgiving, patient, and gentle of spirit? Well whatever kind of Jesus you believe you have, that’s the kind of Jesus you’re going to get on Judgment Day. What kind of Jesus do you want on Judgment Day?
O Lord Jesus Christ, grant us such faith in you and your good attitude toward us that we do not worry about being successful in all that we do but that we are faithful in everything we do in your name. Amen.