Put your money where your mouth is.
Today is a message I have looked forward to for some time.
And, yet I dread it all the same.
This message is going to go two different directions.
There is much good to be said and done today.
And, there is much judgment and harm to be spoken of, also.
The Parable of the Bags of Gold. AKA the Parable of the Talents.
The NIV has taken the road in translation to clearly denote this as a money issue. "Bags of Gold"
(Luke's gospel in the 19th chapter calls it either the parable of the Ten Minas or the Parable of the Pounds, lending itself more to a money idea.)
The idea of 'talents', as other translations have used, leaves it open to interpretation. We have been speaking about gifts, talents and what God has called us to do in ministry - i.e. meeting people's needs, as we cover the subject of evangelism - i.e. reaching people with the message of Christ.
The 25th chapter of Matthew is about the clearest place to make a point on this subject. What Jesus does with these three parables is unmistakably brilliant. He preaches a simple 3 point sermon.
1) The king is coming back. Are you ready? (25.1-13 Parable of the Ten Virgins)
2) The king gave his servants a 'talent'. Did they do something with it while he was gone? (25.14-30)
3) When he gets back, 'the tests will be graded'. Did you pass? (25.31-46 The Sheep & the Goats)
SO, talents, as it is has traditionally been translated, can either be thought of as money or as a personal ability. This 'english word' can be used either way. The point is to use what has been given to you as a means to help others. The middle part of this chapter will be our center today, but we will look through the whole chapter. And, just for fun, we are going to cover it from back to front, from the end to the beginning. I think it will sink in better if we cover it that way.
In case there is any squabbling about that idea, using what we have to help others, in the context of Chap 25 here in Matthew is that story of the sheep and the goats. Jesus speaks to his listeners about the idea that some will feed others, and clothe them, and comfort them when they are sick, and visit others in prison. The idea is that in doing so, they have done this very act of kindness to Jesus himself.
We should act as if the people we are helping or comforting is actually Jesus, himself.
And, in the same story, Jesus explains that some will not comfort others, or feed them, or even give a cup of cold water to a person in need. The ones who did act appropriately are taken away into glory. The others are taken away in darkness and judgment.
In the middle of this chapter is the part we want to focus on. Lets read before we go further.
Matthew 25:14-30
New International Version (NIV)
The Parable of the Bags of Gold
14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag,[a] each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’
21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’
23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’
26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
You might see what I mean by my really wanting to cover this chapter and yet being reluctant to do so. When I read through this passage (well, any passage for that matter) what I hope & dream is that my readers and listeners, who are reading it also, will get a sense of putting themselves in the passage. Making it literal and actual for themselves. I can only imagine what Jesus' disciples are thinking as they hear this message. What are the common everyday folks are thinking?
These people are poor. Many of them barely have enough to feed their families each day. Five bags of gold?? Dude, I'd give my arm for just a chunk, a piece. But, instead of using it on myself, I'm supposed to go make it double? I'm supposed to go use it to help others? It is puzzling. And, tempting. To have that kind of wealth at your disposal. To be able to help others in some small way. Can you see yourself doing such? Would you like to be of use to the Lord for his kingdom?
The problem is, many a folk would rather do what the last man does. One bag of gold. That's still a lot of cash! But, maybe it's scary. The thought of responsibility is frightening to some. And, so, we find ways to side step the issue. We bury the issue, like the gold. We debate and we argue, like the servant. In the end, we try to give it back, stating that we really didn't want it in the first place. Some folks know that have a gift and that they could be doing something to serve the Lord and they just plain, flat out, don't want to do it. As Jesus takes that bag of gold from the last servant and then gives it to the one who has ten, some folks wish God would do that with them. Just take this thing away, ok? I don't want it and I don't want to have to do anything. Just let me sit here in my pew and leave me alone.
Man, if we had any idea.... An inkling of a notion as to the seriousness of not doing something with what God has given us. It's as if the last servant doesn't see that coming. And, many a good going church person doesn't see it either.
28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’The seriousness of this chapter is at the onset. Jesus speaks of ten virgins. A more appropriate term may be "bridesmaids". It's very possible that these women served the bride as she waited for the return of her groom. It sounds very much like a wedding party. It's late at night. They have lamps. They are trying to stay up as late as possible. Sounds like the night before my wedding.
I remember it clearly. Fishing out at the pond. We stayed at my bride's aunt and uncle's house. I stayed up at late as I could and then succumbed to the sleep. The nerves were on end. The day was coming and I wondered if I was truly ready. And, then it was here. I woke up late in the morning, almost noon. I sat there on the couch. The sleep did little to calm my nerves. My friend and best man was nothing but a chatterbox. I think he was more nervous than I was. If memory serves me correctly, he talked until it was time to walk down the aisle.
Expectancy. There's the key word for today. And, I just have to know...
Definition of EXPECT
intransitive verb
2: to look forward
3: to be pregnant : await the birth of one's child —used in progressive tenses <she's expecting next month>
Didn't Jesus say something similar to this? It was actually in the preceding chapter, 24 of Matthew.
Someone asks Jesus a question about what is to come. It leads to all this that we are covering. From Chapter 24 into 25.
Oh, but there was more to that definition....
OOOOOO you mean I'm expected to be involved in evangelism? Hmmm it seems the word goes both ways. To be bound in duty. We need to evangelize. More than that, we want to evangelize. We do so with an expectancy that Jesus will return. We want to know when he will return. We work fervently as we watch and wait for his return.
Some people don't want to know. Some folks wish they could avoid the all the hardship and the work. It really burns in my craw when I see perfectly good people who could be doing something to help their church grow and go somewhere....and they do nothing. They come. They sit. I see the gifts in them. I can tell God has blessed them with great things. And, they do nothing. There is a world going to hell around us and we are content to watch it roll on past. Some folks talk a good game. They talk about what can be done or what we could do as a church. Then....nothing. If that person walking past us truly is Jesus, we just let them go without a thought or care. And, the opportunity to do something for God's Kingdom just slipped away. There is no 'expectancy' in what is done. No buzz. No electricity. Nothing. And, the world rolls on by.
Today, I'm putting a challenge in front of my people. There are several envelopes laying on the table at the front of the sanctuary. There are different amounts of money in each envelope. Some have $30. Some $20. Some $10. Some $5. We are going to conduct our own experiment. We are going set out our own "bags of gold". I'm asking you to come and take an envelope. And, then you'll need to pray. And, I mean, seriously pray. The kind of prayer you put into looking for a new pastor. Where are the people who prayed on those Wednesday nights...pleading...asking?? I've heard stories. That kind of prayer. That kind of dedication. You take an envelope and you go ask the Lord where and how you can be of use to Him.
And, here's the catch. (Because, there's always a catch) Just as the servants in the parable had to give an account to the master when he returned about what they did with the gift, so will you. 60 days from now, the first Sunday of November. It will be All Saints Sunday. A time when we light candles and remember those who have gone before us in faith. "Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses...." You will give an account of what has happened with that envelope and how the Lord used you in the work of his kingdom.
Maybe you're down at the local gas station. You fill somebody's gas tank. It's that simple it's over. There's your report. Maybe you buy a stranger breakfast down at the local restaurant. Easy enough. Maybe, just maybe, it leads to more. My first Nazarene pastor was a man named Jay Hawes. What a character! One thing he was good at in his life was finances. Before accepting that call to ministry, Jay worked for UPS. "Brown Blood" as the 'lifers' are called. He had his future in front of him. His plan was to be a millionaire before he was 40. He had it all mapped out. Then God got a hold of him.
There was always this air of expectancy around Jay. He was always looking for where God wanted to use him next. He told the story about how when he learned to give back out of what God had given him that he took on this challenge. Every time God blessed him with something, he was going to turn it around and give in return. He was going to try and 'out give' God. What a wild man! He said it nearly killed him. As he realized everything God was sending his way, he kept trying to return the blessing in some way. Sometimes financial. Sometimes spiritual. Sometimes in simple human need.
That's how he lived his life. He always preached that we never knew when our day would come. He lived his life expecting to see Jesus some day. As he entered his fifties, macular degeneration set into his eyes so that he could not read the bible from the pulpit. Didn't stop him from preaching. He couldn't drive himself around anymore. Didn't stop him from trying. Although, he accepted help in carting him around where he needed to go.
I look forward to seeing him someday. And, to seeing my Jesus. I expect it.
And, the work will go on until that day comes.
Didn't Jesus say something similar to this? It was actually in the preceding chapter, 24 of Matthew.
Someone asks Jesus a question about what is to come. It leads to all this that we are covering. From Chapter 24 into 25.
3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”We all want to know. Some of us want to know because we truly want to know how much time we have left. There are things to accomplish. There is work to get done. Jesus makes it real in these two chapters. He spells out lots of judgment and harsh circumstances that will unfold before he comes. Chapter 24 in maybe the darkest piece of writing the bible has to deliver. Then his tone changes in Chapter 25. Jesus focuses on the work that needs to be done before he returns. He spells out in parable story, as only he can, that those who are waiting for him have enough oil to light their lamp and last through the hard stuff. Those who are waiting realize that they have a gift from above and are tirelessly working to multiply what they have. Those who are waiting for him are using what they have to serve others, regardless of the ugliness or the circumstances, as if they are actually serving Jesus, himself.
Oh, but there was more to that definition....
transitive verb
1archaic : await
2: to anticipate or look forward to the coming or occurrence of <we expect them any minute now> <expected a telephone call>
4 a : to consider probable or certain <expect to be forgiven> <expect that things will improve>
b : to consider reasonable, due, or necessary <expected hard work from the students>
c : to consider bound in duty or obligated <they expect you to pay your bills>
OOOOOO you mean I'm expected to be involved in evangelism? Hmmm it seems the word goes both ways. To be bound in duty. We need to evangelize. More than that, we want to evangelize. We do so with an expectancy that Jesus will return. We want to know when he will return. We work fervently as we watch and wait for his return.
Some people don't want to know. Some folks wish they could avoid the all the hardship and the work. It really burns in my craw when I see perfectly good people who could be doing something to help their church grow and go somewhere....and they do nothing. They come. They sit. I see the gifts in them. I can tell God has blessed them with great things. And, they do nothing. There is a world going to hell around us and we are content to watch it roll on past. Some folks talk a good game. They talk about what can be done or what we could do as a church. Then....nothing. If that person walking past us truly is Jesus, we just let them go without a thought or care. And, the opportunity to do something for God's Kingdom just slipped away. There is no 'expectancy' in what is done. No buzz. No electricity. Nothing. And, the world rolls on by.
Today, I'm putting a challenge in front of my people. There are several envelopes laying on the table at the front of the sanctuary. There are different amounts of money in each envelope. Some have $30. Some $20. Some $10. Some $5. We are going to conduct our own experiment. We are going set out our own "bags of gold". I'm asking you to come and take an envelope. And, then you'll need to pray. And, I mean, seriously pray. The kind of prayer you put into looking for a new pastor. Where are the people who prayed on those Wednesday nights...pleading...asking?? I've heard stories. That kind of prayer. That kind of dedication. You take an envelope and you go ask the Lord where and how you can be of use to Him.
And, here's the catch. (Because, there's always a catch) Just as the servants in the parable had to give an account to the master when he returned about what they did with the gift, so will you. 60 days from now, the first Sunday of November. It will be All Saints Sunday. A time when we light candles and remember those who have gone before us in faith. "Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses...." You will give an account of what has happened with that envelope and how the Lord used you in the work of his kingdom.
Maybe you're down at the local gas station. You fill somebody's gas tank. It's that simple it's over. There's your report. Maybe you buy a stranger breakfast down at the local restaurant. Easy enough. Maybe, just maybe, it leads to more. My first Nazarene pastor was a man named Jay Hawes. What a character! One thing he was good at in his life was finances. Before accepting that call to ministry, Jay worked for UPS. "Brown Blood" as the 'lifers' are called. He had his future in front of him. His plan was to be a millionaire before he was 40. He had it all mapped out. Then God got a hold of him.
There was always this air of expectancy around Jay. He was always looking for where God wanted to use him next. He told the story about how when he learned to give back out of what God had given him that he took on this challenge. Every time God blessed him with something, he was going to turn it around and give in return. He was going to try and 'out give' God. What a wild man! He said it nearly killed him. As he realized everything God was sending his way, he kept trying to return the blessing in some way. Sometimes financial. Sometimes spiritual. Sometimes in simple human need.
That's how he lived his life. He always preached that we never knew when our day would come. He lived his life expecting to see Jesus some day. As he entered his fifties, macular degeneration set into his eyes so that he could not read the bible from the pulpit. Didn't stop him from preaching. He couldn't drive himself around anymore. Didn't stop him from trying. Although, he accepted help in carting him around where he needed to go.
I look forward to seeing him someday. And, to seeing my Jesus. I expect it.
And, the work will go on until that day comes.
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