God so Loved the World that He Gave His Son: As God Does His Part, What is Our Part #2?
So… that is the question that we all must consider; as God does His part, what is our part??????
There is a story, a parable, in the Bible that lays out this very question:
Matthew 25:14-30 (NKJV)
14 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ 21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 24 Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ 26 But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
This is a much larger passage of Scripture than I usually include in my blog; however, it is vital to the question at hand. At first glance this seems to be a story about how well we handle finances. But remember, this is a parable. What is the definition of a parable you ask? Great question!
Here is the definition of a parable according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary:
parable
noun
par·a·ble ˈper-ə-bəl : a usually short fictitious story that illustrates a moral attitude or a religious principle. Parable comes from the Latin word parabola, from Greek parabolḗ, meaning “comparison.”
Therefore, the parable we just read about the talents is not about money or finances at all. It is meant to be a comparison to the abilities or “talents” that God gave us when we were created! This being the case, it is imperative that we take some time to really dig into this parable, and determine what Almighty God is telling us. There isn’t sufficient space in this edition of the “Mike Hart for Truth” blog; consequently… we will have to postpone our archaeological dig into the importance of God’s message to us until next week.
I leave you with one final thought for this week:
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV)
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.