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Matthew 25 -- God's Economics 101
I must confess that for the longest time I struggled with verses 14-30 in which Jesus tells the parable of the three servants given bags of gold by the master to tend while he was away. My problem was that I was looking at it from a worldvieI must confess that for the longest time I struggled with verses 14-30 in which Jesus tells the parable of the three servants given bags of gold by the master to tend while he was away.
My problem was that I was looking at it from a worldview instead of through God's eyes. I saw a 100% return as a very risky investment. Those first two servants would have been called venture capitalists today. Their risk of loss, in my view, would have exceeded their chance of gain by a lot to be able to obtain such a sizable return. (In other words, people don't make 100% returns by putting money into FDIC-insured CD's.)
My commentary puts everything into the correct light by saying, "The test of their service was not how much they earned, but how hard they tried. Each used his ability fully ... These represent true believers whose reward is to enjoy the blessings of the Messianic kingdom."
It continued: "Those who desire to be used for God's glory are given the means. The more they do, the more they are enabled to do for Him. Conversely, we lose what we don't use.... The mention of the bankers in verse 27 suggests that if we cannot use our possessions for the Lord, we should turn them over to those who can ... In a world like ours, there's no excuse for leaving money idle."
Father, thank You for correcting my view of this important truth over the years. The world's thinking doesn't work in Your economy. Help me to know I've tried hard to use fully what You've given me. I've learned full well that I will never be able to outgive You.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
My problem was that I was looking at it from a worldview instead of through God's eyes. I saw a 100% return as a very risky investment. Those first two servants would have been called venture capitalists today. Their risk of loss, in my view, would have exceeded their chance of gain by a lot to be able to obtain such a sizable return. (In other words, people don't make 100% returns by putting money into FDIC-insured CD's.)
My commentary puts everything into the correct light by saying, "The test of their service was not how much they earned, but how hard they tried. Each used his ability fully ... These represent true believers whose reward is to enjoy the blessings of the Messianic kingdom."
It continued: "Those who desire to be used for God's glory are given the means. The more they do, the more they are enabled to do for Him. Conversely, we lose what we don't use.... The mention of the bankers in verse 27 suggests that if we cannot use our possessions for the Lord, we should turn them over to those who can ... In a world like ours, there's no excuse for leaving money idle."
Father, thank You for correcting my view of this important truth over the years. The world's thinking doesn't work in Your economy. Help me to know I've tried hard to use fully what You've given me. I've learned full well that I will never be able to outgive You.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
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