What would Jesus say?
In Matthew 25:14-30, the Lord Jesus speaks a parable to his disciples. What is a parable? A parable is a mathematical term: parabola. It is a short story that uses familiar events to illustrate a religious or ethical point. The stories Jesus speaks shape related stories to focus truth to a focal point. YOU are the focal point.
In this parable, Jesus speaks about a wealthy man. He appoints three servants to be responsible for his holdings. Then, the man travels to a country far away. The man apportioned his goods to each of the three men. He considered their respective capacities to care for those goods. Two of the men wisely invested the master’s wealth and reaped returns on those investments. The third man hid his portion in a hole in the ground, not investing for his master.
The two servants who wisely invested the master’s goods were rewarded with even more responsibility. But, the third who unwisely did not invest on behalf of his master was castigated.
Who was in control of the master’s goods? Not the master. The three servants were held accountable for their actions. They were responsible for managing the goods.
Who was in control while the master was out of the country? Was it the master or his servants?
The parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) precedes the parable of the talents. The parable of the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25:31-46) brings all three parables to the focus, the focal point.
God has appointed us to be in control until the second coming of Jesus Christ. We are in control, not God. We will be held accountable for what we have done with those things for which we are responsible.
Wars, crimes, and betrayals are the consequences of our collective disobedience. For now, we are in control, not God.
The keyword is stewardship.
In short, people who now believe God is in control are irresponsible. They also are ignorant of God’s expressed will for our lives on Earth.
My use of the pronouns ‘we’ and ‘they’ mean God’s chosen disciples, as so noted in Romans 8:15. “For you have not received the spirit of slavery again to fear. But you have received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba, Father.” The verb adopt comes from Latin adoptāre, to choose, to opt.
Stewards are chosen for a purpose. What is YOUR purpose? What is your calling? Do you understand the meaning of grace? If no, now is a good time to learn. Read Bible Study: Understanding Grace.
John White
Rockwall, Texas
John N. White 