Twenty-seventh Sunday after Pentecost
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Scripture |
Matthew 25:14-3014“For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; 15 to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. 17 In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. 18 But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. 20 Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. 29 For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 30 As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”
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Devotional |
Matthew’s gospel presents a challenging word to individuals. Often we live as if we are in a closed system where there are no new opportunities. The suggestions that a surprise or a life-changing possibility is just around the corner seems impossible for us. Jesus’ “parable of the talents” is not intended to provide us with a formula for our personal retirement investments or congregational endowments. While it may challenge congregations that “sit on their assets” to make bold, creative, and wise moves as they seek to be faithful to the gospel, the heart of the parable is the challenge to faithfully and boldly explore and develop God’s gifts in our lives. 1 The temptation is to “sit on our assets” as a way to protect our valuable assets or to protect ourselves from the unknown. This might apply to our money under certain conditions and times but it does not apply to our spiritual assets. Spiritual assets cannot be preserved even when hidden in a safe place. We sacrifice spiritual development when we are afraid to take a risk. When we cling to the spiritual status quo, we miss the opportunity for divine intervention in our lives. “There is more to ourselves and our lives that we can ever imagine. God is still creating. God’s plans are new every morning. Each moment we receive only a glimpse of the possibilities awaiting us in each situation. As a source of holy adventure, God not only provides but also receives new possibilities in the ongoing evolution of the universe and each creature in it. God calls us to be holy adventures as well, trusting what we don’t know and being humble about what we do.” 2 The possibilities God offers us each day is available only as we reach out each day.
1 Bruce G. Epperly, “Commentary”. http://www.processand faith.org/lectionary. |