Back in Obedience

Last week my husband and I visited a church to hear a very familiar family friend preach.  He was encouraging the congregation on their 28th church anniversary.  He talked about being steadfast and not listening to the naysayers, but holding fast to the Word of God.  As he began to wrap up, he asked everyone to turn to Matthew 25:14 and proceeding verses, where Jesus shared the parable of the bags of gold.  I don’t think we read the whole passage, but it was familiar to me as I wrote about this in 5-Figure Financing.  

In summary, a wealthy man was going on a trip and he left some of his wealth to three of his servants.  To each he left a different amount, according to their individual ability.  He left one servant 5 bags of gold, he left another 2 bags of gold, and he gave another 1 bag of gold.  It’s important to note that NIV says it was bags of gold.  NLT says he left bags of silver, and KJV says he left them talents.  No one knew when he would return, but there was an expectation that he would return and settle accounts with them.  By the time the man returned, the servant given 5 bags of gold managed to gain 5 more, and the servant given 2 bags of gold gained 2 more.  But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. (Mat 25:18)

To both the servants who doubled their master’s wealth, the man said, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”  To the servant who buried the 1 bag and did not grow it at all, he called him wicked, lazy and worthless.  In his scolding, he said, “you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.” (v. 27) And he said he should be thrown “outside into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth,” which we know from multiple Scriptures that weeping and gnashing of teeth will be man’s response to the agony of hell.  

The part of this familiar passage that punched me in the face during church service was the settling of accounts.  A friend of mine commented on last week’s post that she goes to church expecting to get a conviction - well, I do not!  I go to church hoping to gain a new perspective on a past hurtful event, or to help me think of the coming week’s stressors as opportunities rather than burdens.  I do not go to church to be convicted!  I do not want the Lord to show me my disobedience.  Besides, I like to think I’m pretty obedient!  Don’t we all!  And God said to me, “You may be pretty obedient, but I didn’t ask you to be pretty obedient, I asked you to write that blog!  I asked you to preach my Word!  I gave you a talent and you are not using it.  You’re sitting up in here grinning when you’re supposed to be delivering My message!  My patience with you runneth thin, Kimberly Griffith Massey!  You are about to feel my wrath.”

It wasn’t those exact words, but you get the idea.  That’s why I came home and churned out a message!  In the day this parable was told, when a person completed a day’s work, they were paid 1 denarius.  6,000 denarii were equal to 1 talent.  One talent was enough money to be considered rich.  I don’t know if God has given me 1 talent or 2 talents or 5 talents, but He based it on my writing ability.  He’s made me rich with words.  He wants me to use my writing “talent” to share His Word according to my ability.  I’ve written multiple books that are published, and several more that are written with an uncertain future.  I study His Word, and I’m expected to use my writing talent to bring more people into relationship with Him.  I’ve allowed myself to get discouraged by fewer than expected readers, but maybe that should not be my concern.  I really should just concern myself with being obedient and allow the Lord to take it from there.  

While, I’ve been cruising along in disobedience, I’ve been reminded that He is coming to settle accounts.  “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Mat 24:36)  Soon I will be asked about what I did with the bags of gold/silver/talents I was given.  What am I going to say?  “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)   He’s not only patient with me, but He is patient with you.  I’m probably not the only one sitting around grinning when they’re supposed to be working.  “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Mat 28:19-20)  As followers of Christ, we are supposed to share His gospel message and teach people to reverence God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  I’m back in obedience for the second week in a row!  Are you?  

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If you answered no to my closing question and you don't know how you might be able to grow God's kingdom, consider sharing this post with some of your friends.  It could be a blessing to them. 
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Again, thank you for reading!
I pray you found a blessing in these words.  Amen.
Kimberly G. Massey
[email protected]
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