A new spin on an old parable
April 18th, 2009 Kristen
During our Thursday night Bible studies, we have been going through the parables of Jesus. You might think, ho hum…heard ‘em a hundred times. Wow, have we been challenged by the simplicity, yet the depth of truth that Christ taught through storytelling. I’m sure we have but scratched the surface of His teaching - but, wow, the things I have personally learned and been challenged by during this series! It’s been incredible.
Let me just preface this by saying, we choose to encourage the group to study only the parable and bring their thoughts. We are not reading every commentary published on the talents (or else we would never get through them!). Our aim was “sola scriptura”, only scripture. I appreciate what I heard Alistair Begg say last night on Moody Radio…”it is not the church that interprets scripture…SCRIPTURE INTERPRETS SCRIPTURE!”
So, going back to last weeks study, we were working through the parable of the talents as told in Matthew 25:14-30. There is so much there, but this is what has stuck with me and what I have been challenged with this week.
When the slothful servant approached the Master he said, “Lord, I knew thee that thou art a hard man…” (that line alone gets me…how often have we heard people make an excuse for not producing because of the “hardness” of others, or God?). Then he goes on to say, “I was afraid so I went and hid thy talent in the earth.” I love how the Message Bible translates the Master’s answer, “If you knew I was after the best, why did you do less than the least?” OUCH.
The group began talking about how FEAR is an excuse for LAZINESS. He claimed he was FEARFUL. The Master called him wicked & SLOTHFUL. It is easier on our ego to say we are fearful, than that we are lazy. I mean, when is the last time you have actually heard someone say they are lazy? How about fearful? How often do I mislabel my lack of work ethic, making excuses for it, and instead say I am fearful? Fear asks for sympathy. Laziness asks for correction. How often do I make excuses in doing sloppy work, not getting important work done, etc. Do I truly feel I am working “as unto the Lord, and not unto men.” If I really felt that way, wouldn’t I be working with MUCH DILIGENCE?
The word that kept coming to my mind was DILIGENCE. DILIGENCE. DILIGENCE. I must be about My Father’s business. The definition of diligence is, “a zealous and careful nature in one’s actions and work. Decisive work ethic. Budgeting one’s time; monitoring one’s own activities to guard against laziness. Putting forth full concentration in one’s work.”
I want to post this on my computer! Stop surfing and get back to work! :) DILIGENCE.
May you oh Lord help us desire and live diligently unto you.
Lot’s of love,
Kristen
Tags: Diligence, laziness, matthew 25:14-30, parable of the talents, slothfulness