Living in the Spirit
November 14, 2020
Scripture Reading:
Matthew 25:14-30
‘For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. 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.” 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.” 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.” 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.” 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; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.” 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? 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. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. 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. As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
What happens if that man was Jesus who entrusted his followers to continue the development of God’s Kingdom throughout the earth? What happens if everyone did not do his or her part? That is the gist of this parable. But what if each person did his or her part in a silo without regard to what the other people are doing? Can you imagine the chaos? Pharmaceutical companies and other entities all over the world are in a mad race to create a vaccine against COVID-19 where sharing information is crucial. If one group discovers that something does or does not work, others can redirect their energies to more productive activities.
God created us as interdependent people. We need people with vision and foresight to push us toward a better world. We need people who are cautious making sure that all the facts and potential consequences are considered. We need dreamers and skilled workers, experience and new ideas, conservatives, moderates, and progressives. And most importantly we need all people to share the vision of a world ruled by wanting the best for all people where everyone has enough. That requires faith groups, not-for-profits, for-profit businesses, and government at all levels to work together in the USA honoring the separation of church and state while finding common ground to provide for the Common Good. We are at the point of a new beginning in our nation. Let us join together working on where we find common ground.
Prayer: Lord, help us find our niche in your plan as individuals and as a community-nation. Enable us to invest fully in doing our part. Amen.
All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.