There are times in our lives when we are entrusted with great gifts. From our family and our friends, from those who trust us and love us, we are given gifts or opportunities. These gifts are entrusted to our care for a time. Sometimes the gifts are small, a favorite figurine or dish, a book with great meaning. Sometimes the gifts are larger, and have more meaning. We are asked to care for a pet, a home, a child.
Whatever the favor asked, when we are asked to care for something belonging to someone else, we take great care. The way that we care for our loved one's gift shows how we care for our loved one.
At times the caring can be challenging„a dog that won't stay in the yard or that pulls on the leash or that chases the cat„a child who cries themselves to sleep every night because they miss their parents„a home where the pipes burst or the furnace goes out. And then, we are even more careful, striving to make sure that things are not only in good condition when their owner returns, but that they are in better condition„looking their absolute best, happier, more fulfilled than when we received them„our gift back to the one who has trusted us so much.
In Matthew's parable of the talents, the master entrusts his property to his slaves. He gives differing amounts to each one, according to their ability. He is going on a journey and needs to make arrangements for his property, and so he gives it into the hands of his slaves for safekeeping.
Now, the slaves reactions are all a little different. The first is quite bold with his master's gifts. Immediately, he trades them and doubles their value. He is much more willing to risk with money than I am! The second slave doubled his talents as well.
But the third slave is cautious„overly cautious you might say. He is cautious to the point of being fearful. And out of fear he digs a hole and hides his talent in the ground. He is afraid to do anything with it.
After a long time, the master returns and meets with his slaves to retrieve his property. He is very pleased with the work and care that the first two slaves have put into his property. He praises them and rewards them with more responsibility, and with the joy that he has to offer them.
But the story is very different with the third slave, the one who acts out of fear. He is chastised by the master. He is told that he would be receiving no more responsibility, and that he would not ever be allowed to enter into the joy of the master.
Just what has he done that was so wrong? He gave the master back what was his! He didnÍt lose his talent! He made sure that it was safe! What is so wrong in that?
In this parable, Jesus shares with us several important ideas about what it is to live the Christian life. The first thing that Jesus tells us is that He is gone for a long time. Like the master, Jesus was once with us on this earth. The time will come when He will return, but now we are still waiting. We are in the perpetual time of in-between, knowing of Christ's time on earth and waiting for Him to come again. During this time, we are aware that Christ will come again, but we donÍt know when. The in-between time might be much longer, or it might end tomorrow. We do not know. All we do know is that it will happen in God's time, and we are somewhere in the middle, waiting.
Secondly, Jesus lets us know how much God loves and trusts us. The master never would have left his property„all his property„everything he had--with his slaves unless He had faith in their ability to care for it. The master had confidence, true confidence in the ability of his slaves. He was sure that they could care for his gifts in an appropriate manner. The master was also confident that the hearts of his salves would care for his property with love, wanting to do their best for him. He was, after all, gone for a long time. He had to be absolutely sure that his property would be well taken care of.
God has treated us in the same manner, with confidence and trust. God is sure of our love and our abilities. God gives us the gift of life to care for, the gift of creation, the gift of faith. These are gifts that are entrusted to us by a God who believes in us„our love and abilities.
Jesus also tells us that caring for the gifts of God is about more than just keeping them safe. It is about embracing them and making them our own. It is about nurture and commitment to growth. It is about being good stewards of the resources that God has placed in our care. It is not about doing the minimum, or reacting out of fear. It is about doing the maximum„about our willingness to act instead of react, about boldly risking for the sake of the Christian life.
At the national meeting last summer in Spokane, Washington, our Bible Lecturer was the Rev. Dr. William Willimon, the Dean of the Chapel at Duke Universtiy. A brilliant man and a prolific writer, Willimon's talks are filled with wit and with wisdom. He has a unique way of looking at the Bible and the parable of the talents was one of the passages that he spoke on last summer.
I was interested to hear Rev. Willimon say that what really got to him about this parable was the fact that the master left all of his property with a bunch of slaves„and for such a long, long time! Just imagine God saying, "OK, here's all that I am and all that I have. You've got it. You're in charge until I get back."
Just think of the trust that is placed in our hands, Willimon said. God is trusting us to do His work! Jesus has left us in charge to take care of things until He comes back again! That is pretty mind-boggling when you think of it! What belongs to God has been handed over to us„a bunch of ordinary people; love and life, creation and faith; and we are to care for them!
When our friends and families ask us to care for something of theirs, we take that responsibility, that opportunity, very seriously. We want to do our best for them, and care for what is theirs like it were our own„showing our love and faithfulness.
Jesus calls us to do the same with the gifts that are entrusted to us from God. We are not only called to be faithful, keeping the gifts of God safe. But we are called to be fruitful as well. We are entrusted with God's many gifts, taking great are that they fed, insuring that they grow„all for the glory of God.
That is our job in the in-between time. Be faithful, be fruitful. Do as much as you can with God's gifts. Bring glory to God. Don't be afraid. Let your love for God lead you and do as much as you can. Grow God's gifts. Amen.
Peace,
Rev. Cynthia Bacon
Minister
You may email at:
cbacon@heritagemadison.org
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This page was last updated on November 20, 2002.